Namibian Competition Commission approves Chinese investment in Etango uranium project
via The Namibian1 min read
The Namibian Competition Commission has approved a proposed investment by CNNC Overseas Ltd, a Chinese state-owned nuclear company, in the Etango uranium project. This transaction involves CNNC Overseas acquiring a minority interest in Bannerman Energy United Kingdom, the developer of the Etango project located in the Erongo region. Johannes Ashipala, director of mergers and acquisitions, stated that the project is currently in its development phase and has not yet commenced commercial operations. The regulator concluded that the deal does not pose a threat to competition within the uranium sector. However, the approval was granted with specific conditions aimed at ensuring economic benefits for Namibia. These conditions include employment creation, skills development and transfer, and increased participation of Namibian firms, including small and medium enterprises, in the uranium value chain. The Etango uranium project is recognized as one of Namibia’s largest planned uranium developments.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadThe Traditional Authorities Act permits community members to remove chiefs or heads of traditional communities for sufficient reason and in accordance with customary law. This comes amid voting sessions by |Khomanin community members to remove their chief, Juliane Gawa-!Nas, and her council over allegations of selling land and misappropriating donations. This contrasts with a statement by minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa, who indicated that only royal families could remove traditional leaders. Mike Tshilongo, an advocate for the Uukwambi Legitimate Chieftaincy, questioned the minister's position, citing the ministry's previous removal of chief Sagarias Seibeb of the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority. Tshilongo emphasized that the law refers to "members of the traditional community" and not exclusively to royal families, warning against inconsistent interpretations that could undermine public trust. George Nelulu of Oukwanyama supported the community's right to remove a chief for valid reasons, while Shiimi Shangula, spokesperson for the Ongandjera Traditional Authority, stated that community members can only raise disputes to the royal family. Ondonga Traditional Authority secretary Frans Enkali noted that removal processes follow specific community practices. Independent observer Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro affirmed the community's right to express themselves regarding a chief's removal, especially if the leader was elected. The |Khomanin Traditional Authorit
Must ReadThe Mineworkers Union of Namibia MUN announced that its investment structures now hold assets valued at over N$900 million. This figure was disclosed during a media engagement in Windhoek, where the union detailed its investment activities and recent efforts to safeguard jobs within the mining sector. The assets are managed through the Namibia Mineworkers Trust Namitvest and the Namibia Mineworkers Investment Holdings Company Nammic, which invest on behalf of union members and beneficiaries. Union president Poco-Key Mberiuana emphasized that the union's mission extends beyond collective bargaining and labor representation. General secretary George Ampweya added that a key aspect of their work involves advancing the long-term economic interests of workers and maintaining transparent communication. The MUN has recently supported employees facing retrenchment and voluntary separation programs at companies such as Finestar Jewellery and Diamond Namibia and the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter. Additionally, the union's education fund has provided bursaries, assisting over 580 students with their tertiary education. The MUN is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in November, with plans to host regional discussions on labor reform, worker welfare, and participation in Namibia’s mining value chain.
Must ReadThe City of Windhoek exceeded government-approved salary limits by nearly N$20 million in 2024, according to the auditor general. The municipality implemented a 5% salary increase, despite ministerial approval being capped at 3%. Similar overspending on employee costs was identified in 2023 N$72.2 million and 2022 N$24.1 million. Auditor General Junias Kandjeke stated that the expenditure could not be verified as properly incurred due to these adjustments. The audit also highlighted weaknesses in the municipality's information technology systems, including deleted client transaction histories, discrepancies between archive and solaris systems, delayed transaction postings, and missing receipts. Outdated security policies, weak password controls, inadequate user-access management, and a lack of proper audit trails were cited as root causes, preventing auditors from determining the impact of data manipulation on 2023 and 2024 financial statements. Furthermore, the municipality could not provide a complete reconciliation of land under its control, hindering auditors' ability to verify the accuracy of land records. These unresolved issues from previous financial years raise concerns about governance, financial controls, and record-keeping within the City of Windhoek.
Must ReadNamibia observed its second Genocide Remembrance Day, reflecting on the 1904-1908 genocide and emphasizing the need for remembrance, truth-telling, and restorative justice. The day honors victims and seeks to ensure the truth of the events is not forgotten. Central to the commemoration is the call for the German government to fully acknowledge its responsibility for committing genocide against Namibians, including the Ovaherero, Nama, Damara, and ≠Nkhoen San peoples. While some steps have been taken, a sincere public declaration and full reparations, agreed upon with all Namibian representative bodies, are deemed necessary for Namibia to accept an apology and extend forgiveness. The joint declaration of June 2021 is considered contested and incomplete by many Namibians, leading to calls for all stakeholders, including the Namibian government, Nama Traditional Leaders Association, Ovaherero Traditional Authority, and the German government, to return to negotiations. Affected Namibian communities, often represented by traditional authorities, continue to challenge the government's sole control over negotiations. International bodies like the United Nations and the African Union generally advocate for the meaningful participation of identifiable victim communities in such negotiations. A genuinely inclusive round-table process is urged to renegotiate the terms of the joint declaration, ensuring Germany explicitly recognizes the genocide and agrees to reparations reflecting the a