Facebook Dominates MTC Data Usage, Social Media Drives 71% of Consumption - ISSUE #55☕

Good Evening! Welcome to your Wednesday edition. Here is what you need to know to power through the evening:

Featured Updates:

• Repo Rate Holds at 6.75%: The Bank of Namibia kept the repo rate steady, stabilizing loan repayments and the N$ peg to the rand. Tourism, contributing 14.5% to GDP, thrives with safari tours from N$20,000—book early for 2026!

• Windhoek Building Boom: Building plan approvals hit N$2.27 billion, up 25% y/y, led by commercial projects (N$795.7 million). Completions dropped 90.2%, but the pipeline’s strong for midweek growth!

• IMF Pushes Reforms: The IMF urges civil service cuts, SOE restructuring, and better tax collection to curb fiscal strain. Growth is set at 3.8% for 2025, with tourism (18% of jobs) a key driver—try luxury lodges at N$5,000/night!

• Parliament Goes Digital: Namibia’s Parliamentary Library will use D-Space to digitize debates and reports, boosting transparency. Digital literacy training is needed to maximize access this week!

• Google Street View Launches: Explore 21,000+ km of Namibia on Google Maps, from Windhoek’s Christuskirche to Lüderitz’s coast. A virtual tourism win for Wednesday!

• Facebook Rules MTC Data: Social media, led by Facebook, drives 71% of MTC’s 29 million GB data usage in Q1 2025. Data revenue rose 4% to N$831 million, but cyberthreats jumped—stay secure!

• Retain More from Books: James Clear’s 7 strategies—quit bad books, take searchable notes, reread great ones—help you learn better. Apply one this Wednesday to grow your knowledge!

Enjoy the read and have a blessed and productive rest of the week! ☕

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Bank of Namibia Maintains Repo Rate at 6.75%

The Bank of Namibia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.75% during its third bi-monthly meeting on June 16-17, 2025, a move aligned with analyst expectations to stabilize the Namibia Dollar’s peg to the South African Rand while supporting the domestic economy.

Economic Context and Implications
The MPC’s unanimous decision follows a comprehensive review of domestic, regional, and global economic trends. The steady rate ensures that monthly repayments for consumers with home loans and other credit facilities linked to the repo rate remain unchanged, providing short-term financial stability for households. The central bank emphasized its readiness to adjust the rate if economic conditions shift, signaling a cautious yet flexible approach.

Namibian Tourism Packages
Namibia’s tourism sector, contributing 14.5% to GDP and supporting over 18% of employment, continues to thrive with diverse offerings for 2025 and 2026:

• Safari and Wildlife Tours: 7-10 day guided or self-drive tours to Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, and Damaraland, featuring desert elephants and rhino tracking. Prices start at N$20,000 per person for camping/lodge combos, with small groups (7-10 people) ensuring immersive experiences.

• Luxury and Ecotourism: High-end lodges like Zannier Hotels Omaanda and Kwessi Dunes offer stargazing in NamibRand’s dark-sky reserves, with rates from N$5,000 per night. Sustainable tourism aligns with national environmental goals.

• Adventure and Cultural Experiences: Swakopmund’s sandboarding and seal-watching pair with cultural visits to Himba villages or Twyfelfontein’s UNESCO rock art. Premium 10-day tours with private game drives start at N$35,000 per person.

Travelers should book 50 days in advance for peak seasons, use 4x4 vehicles for remote areas, and carry Namibian dollars (N$), pegged to the South African rand. Visas on arrival (N$1,600 for adults) are required as of April 2025.

The Bottom Line
The Bank of Namibia’s decision to hold the repo rate at 6.75% offers stability for borrowers and supports the currency peg, while the vibrant tourism sector continues to drive economic growth with diverse, sustainable packages. The central bank’s vigilant stance ensures flexibility amid evolving economic conditions, complementing Namibia’s appeal as a premier tourism destination.

SOURCES: The Brief

Windhoek Building Plan Approvals Hit N$2.27 Billion, Driven by Commercial Surge

The City of Windhoek approved 1,896 building plans valued at N$2.27 billion over the past 12 months, a 25.0% year-on-year (y/y) increase in value despite a 1.1% drop in the number of approvals, according to IJG Securities. The growth is largely fueled by a sharp rise in commercial and industrial projects.

May 2025 Performance
In May 2025, Windhoek approved 179 building plans worth N$177.6 million, up 33.6% in number and 21.6% in value from April. However, building completions plummeted, with only 16 buildings completed (valued at N$23.2 million), reflecting a 90.2% y/y drop in number and a 71.4% decline in value, attributed to a high base effect from May 2024’s record completions.

Sector Breakdown

• Commercial and Industrial: Five plans valued at N$84.9 million were approved in May, unchanged in number but up 265.0% in value from April. Over 12 months, 48 commercial units were approved, down 17.2% in number but up 177.3% in value to N$795.7 million, driving the overall value surge.

• Residential: 30 plans worth N$49.1 million were approved in May, up 87.5% in number and 55.0% in value from April due to a low base. Year-to-date, 199 residential units worth N$281.3 million were approved, down 16.8% in number and 20.0% in value. Only three residential units (N$5.1 million) were completed, the lowest since April 2020.

• Property Additions: 144 additions valued at N$43.7 million were approved, up 27.4% in number but down 0.7% in value month-on-month. Year-to-date, 588 additions worth N$265.6 million were approved, down 3.6% in number and 33.6% in value. Only 12 additions (N$3.7 million) were completed, well below the five-year monthly average of 49.

Year-to-Date Trends
Year-to-date, commercial and industrial approvals surged by N$255.4 million compared to 2024, while residential approvals and property additions fell by N$70.5 million and N$134.4 million, respectively. IJG noted, “Year-to-date data shows a mixed trend across different property categories,” with commercial strength offsetting residential and addition declines.

Economic Context
The robust growth in commercial project values signals increasing economic confidence, supported by stable demand and infrastructure initiatives. However, the sharp drop in completions and weaker residential activity suggest caution, with affordability challenges and high base effects impacting the sector. IJG expects continued investment to sustain the positive trajectory, though broader market recovery hinges on economic stability.

The Bottom Line
Windhoek’s construction sector shows resilience, with commercial and industrial projects pushing building plan approvals to N$2.27 billion. Despite declines in residential and addition approvals, the value growth reflects a robust construction pipeline. Addressing completion rates and affordability will be key to sustaining this momentum in Namibia’s economic hub.

SOURCES: The Brief

IMF Urges Namibia to Reform Civil Service, SOEs, and Tax System

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called for urgent structural reforms in Namibia, including cutting the public wage bill through civil service reform, restructuring state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and strengthening tax administration to address fiscal pressures and foster private sector-led growth.

Key Reform Recommendations
In its latest Article IV Consultation report, the IMF emphasized:

• Civil Service Reform: Reducing the wage bill to contain public expenditure.

• SOE Overhaul: Restructuring state-owned enterprises to improve efficiency and financial sustainability.

• Tax Administration: Tightening enforcement to enhance revenue collection and support fiscal consolidation.

The IMF warned that these reforms are essential to tackle structural weaknesses, including high unemployment (20.3% in 2024), policy uncertainty, and vulnerability to weather shocks, which contributed to a growth decline from 5.4% in 2022 to 3.7% in 2024, driven by weak diamond demand and severe drought.

Economic Outlook and Risks
The IMF projects Namibia’s growth at 3.8% in 2025 and 4% in 2026 but highlighted risks from global trade policy fragmentation and tightening financial conditions. It recommended:

• Gradually aligning Namibia’s interest rate with South Africa’s to protect the Namibia Dollar’s peg to the rand, absent significant capital outflows.

• Increasing public investment in resilient infrastructure and social protection programs to address inequality and climate vulnerabilities.

• Strengthening financial sector oversight, commending the Bank of Namibia’s bank resolution policies and plans for counter-cyclical capital buffers.

AML/CFT and FATF Grey List
The IMF urged Namibia to expedite efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list by bolstering its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework, noting progress but emphasizing the need for sustained action to enhance investor confidence.

Namibian Tourism Packages
Namibia’s tourism sector, contributing 14.5% to GDP and over 18% to employment, remains a growth driver. Key 2025-2026 packages include:

• Safari and Wildlife Tours: 7-10 day tours to Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, and Damaraland, starting at N$20,000 per person for camping/lodge combos, with small groups (7-10 people) for optimal wildlife viewing.

• Luxury and Ecotourism: Lodges like Zannier Hotels Omaanda and Kwessi Dunes offer stargazing in NamibRand’s dark-sky reserves, with rates from N$5,000 per night, supporting sustainable tourism.

• Adventure and Cultural Experiences: Swakopmund’s sandboarding and seal-watching, paired with visits to Himba villages or Twyfelfontein’s UNESCO rock art, cost upwards of N$35,000 for 10-day premium tours.

Travelers should book 50 days in advance, use 4x4 vehicles for remote areas, and carry Namibian dollars (N$), pegged to the rand. Visas on arrival (N$1,600 for adults) are required as of April 2025.

The Bottom Line
The IMF’s call for civil service, SOE, and tax reforms underscores the urgency of addressing Namibia’s fiscal and structural challenges to unlock sustainable growth. While tourism continues to bolster the economy, implementing these reforms and exiting the FATF grey list will be critical to enhancing investor confidence and resilience against global and domestic risks.

SOURCES: The Brief

TECH

Namibia to Digitize Parliamentary Records with D-Space Platform

Namibia’s Parliamentary Library is set to create a central digital archive using the open-source D-Space platform, aligning with the National Assembly’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and E-Parliament Strategy to enhance transparency, preserve institutional memory, and boost civic engagement.

Digital Archive to Promote Transparency
Speaking at the 22nd Annual Conference of the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa (APLESA), Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced that the initiative will digitize key documents, including debates, committee reports, and ministerial statements. This will improve access for Members of Parliament, staff, and the public. “The digitization of parliamentary processes supports transparency and accountability, ensuring easy access to critical records,” she said. The initiative complements the 2022 Access to Information Act, which guarantees citizens’ rights to public information, with the appointment of an independent Information Commissioner expected to further strengthen these efforts.

Challenges and Solutions
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted challenges such as insufficient ICT funding, copyright issues, and low digital literacy among stakeholders. She stressed the need to train parliamentary staff and members to maximize the benefits of digital tools, noting, “Lack of digital literacy can severely hinder access to resources. We must capacitate stakeholders to ensure the digitalization process is fully optimized.”

Namibian Tourism Packages
Namibia’s tourism sector, a key economic driver contributing 14.5% to GDP and supporting over 18% of employment, offers diverse packages for 2025 and 2026. Popular options include:

• Safari and Wildlife Tours: 7-10 day guided or self-drive tours covering Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei’s dunes, and Damaraland’s desert elephants. Small groups (7-10 people) ensure prime wildlife viewing, with guides like Seven and Kalus praised for their expertise. Packages start at around N$20,000 per person for camping/lodge combos.

• Luxury and Ecotourism: High-end lodges like Zannier Hotels Omaanda and Kwessi Dunes offer stargazing and desert views, with prices from N$5,000 per night. Astrotourism in NamibRand’s dark-sky reserves is gaining traction, aligning with sustainable development goals.

• Adventure and Cultural Experiences: Activities in Swakopmund, such as sandboarding and seal-watching, complement cultural visits to Himba communities or Twyfelfontein’s UNESCO rock art. 10-day premium tours with private game drives cost upwards of N$35,000 per person.

Travelers are advised to book 50 days in advance for peak seasons, use 4x4 vehicles for remote areas, and carry Namibian dollars (N$), as the currency is tied to the South African rand. Visas on arrival (N$1,600 for adults) are required from April 2025.

The Bottom Line
Namibia’s push to digitize parliamentary records via D-Space marks a significant step toward transparency and public access, though challenges like digital literacy and funding persist. Meanwhile, the country’s vibrant tourism sector offers diverse, authentic experiences, from wildlife safaris to luxury astrotourism, driving economic growth and sustainable development.

SOURCE: The Brief

Google Street View Launches in Namibia, Opening Virtual Exploration of 21,000+ Kilometers

Google has officially launched Google Street View in Namibia, enabling users worldwide to virtually explore the country’s diverse landscapes, vibrant towns, and iconic landmarks through 360-degree panoramic imagery on Google Maps.

Expansive Coverage and Accessibility
Announced on June 4, 2025, Namibia’s Street View spans over 21,000 kilometers, covering urban centers like Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Grootfontein, Henties Bay, Karasburg, Keetmanshoop, Mariental, and Otjiwarongo. Users can access the imagery by dragging the ‘Pegman’ icon onto desired locations in Google Maps on a computer or selecting 360° images on mobile devices. “Namibia, a land of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is now more accessible than ever,” Google stated, highlighting the platform’s role in showcasing the nation’s unique charm.

Iconic Landmarks Featured
The Street View imagery includes notable sites such as:

• Windhoek: Christuskirche, a neo-Gothic architectural gem, and the Independence Memorial Museum, a testament to Namibia’s history.

• Omaruru: The historic Franke Tower, reflecting the region’s past.

• Lüderitz: Coastal views of Penguin Island and the colorful Lüderitz Concrete Letters welcoming visitors.

• Rosh Pinah: The Rosh Pinah Museum, offering cultural insights.

Impact on Tourism and Exploration
The extensive coverage, captured between November 2023 and August 2024 by local startup LEFA under a Google contract, enhances Namibia’s tourism appeal. Virtual tours of the Namib Desert’s red dunes, Swakopmund’s colonial architecture, and Walvis Bay’s marine-rich coast allow potential visitors to preview destinations, boosting pre-trip planning and marketing for travel agents. The initiative, part of Google’s largest Street View expansion across nearly 80 countries, leverages portable cameras introduced in 2022 to map remote areas, making Namibia’s natural and cultural wonders globally accessible.

The Bottom Line
Google Street View’s launch in Namibia, covering over 21,000 kilometers, transforms how the world experiences the country’s landscapes and heritage. From Windhoek’s historic sites to Lüderitz’s coastal charm, this digital milestone not only promotes tourism but also bridges the digital divide, inviting global explorers to discover Namibia’s beauty from their screens.

SOURCES: The Namibian

Facebook Dominates MTC Data Usage, Social Media Drives 71% of Consumption

Facebook leads as the most-used social media platform among Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) subscribers in Namibia, followed by WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, according to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia’s (Cran) latest telecommunications sector performance review.

Social Media Fuels Data Surge
The report highlights a shift toward data-intensive platforms, with social media accounting for 71% of MTC’s total data usage—29 million GB—in Q1 2025. “This reinforces social media’s dominance as the primary medium for communication and entertainment,” the report states. Globally, Facebook’s 3.07 billion users generated US$164.5 billion in revenue for Meta in 2024, underscoring its influence.

Sector Performance and Trends

• Data Revenue Growth: Data revenue rose 4% to N$831 million in Q1 2025, driven by increased consumption of multimedia platforms.

• Voice and SMS: Voice revenue remained stable, but SMS revenue dropped 14%, reflecting a decline in text-based communication.

• SIM and Broadband Usage: Active SIM cards held steady, but the proportion used for internet access fell from 60% to 58%, due to a 2% drop in mobile broadband usage via phones.

• Cybersecurity Improvements: Reported cyber vulnerabilities decreased 16% (from 641,000 to 541,000), attributed to better patch management and security protocols. However, cyberthreat events surged from 62,000 to 260,000, primarily linked to vulnerabilities in the open CPE WAN Management Protocol, highlighting the need for restricted access to management interfaces.

Cran spokesperson Mufaro Nesongano noted, “The telecommunication sector saw an overall revenue increase, consistent with rising data consumption, though challenges in cybersecurity and declining SMS usage persist.”

Namibian Tourism Packages
Namibia’s tourism sector, contributing 14.5% to GDP and over 18% to employment, complements digital connectivity with diverse 2025-2026 offerings:

• Safari and Wildlife Tours: 7-10 day tours to Etosha, Sossusvlei, and Damaraland start at N$20,000 per person for camping/lodge combos, ideal for small groups (7-10 people).

• Luxury and Ecotourism: Lodges like Zannier Hotels Omaanda offer stargazing in NamibRand’s dark-sky reserves, with rates from N$5,000 per night, supporting sustainable tourism.

• Adventure and Cultural Experiences: Swakopmund’s sandboarding and Twyfelfontein’s UNESCO rock art feature in premium 10-day tours costing N$35,000+ per person.
  Travelers should book 50 days in advance, use 4x4 vehicles, and carry Namibian dollars (N$), pegged to the rand. Visas on arrival (N$1,600 for adults) are required as of April 2025.

The Bottom Line
Facebook’s dominance in MTC’s data usage reflects the growing centrality of social media in Namibia’s digital landscape, driving significant data revenue growth. While the telecom sector advances, challenges like declining SMS usage and rising cyberthreats require ongoing vigilance. Meanwhile, robust tourism offerings leverage digital connectivity to boost Namibia’s economic and cultural appeal globally.

SOURCES: The Namibian

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

7 Strategies to Retain More from Every Book You Read
by James Clear, Productivity and Self-Improvement

Reading transforms how you interpret life by updating your mental "software" with new ideas, but retention is key to making knowledge compound. Here are seven practical strategies to get more out of each book you read, focused on learning and comprehension.

1. Quit More Books
Life’s too short for average books. Start more books, skim contents, and dive into promising sections to gauge quality in 10 minutes. Quit unremarkable ones guilt-free and reread great ones twice. As Patrick Collison says, “Read the very best book you know of right now.”

2. Choose Books You Can Use Instantly
Select books with immediate applications to reinforce learning through practice. Relevant books—like a sales guide for entrepreneurs or The Origin of Species for biologists—motivate careful reading and retention because they connect to your goals or work.

3. Create Searchable Notes
Take notes to highlight key points and store them in a searchable format, like Evernote, for easy retrieval. For audiobooks, type notes directly; for eBooks, export Kindle highlights; for print, transcribe while reading. Analog options, like Post-It Notes or index cards, also work. Searchable notes ensure ideas remain accessible when needed.

4. Combine Knowledge Trees
Link new ideas to existing knowledge to deepen understanding. For example, connect insights from The Tell-Tale Brain to Brené Brown’s work or Mastery to genetics concepts. Note these connections to “hook” new information onto familiar ideas, as Charlie Munger suggests, to accumulate wisdom.

5. Write a Short Summary
Summarize a book in three sentences immediately after finishing to distill its essence. Ask: What are the main ideas? Which idea would I apply now? How would I describe it to a friend? Alternatively, use the Feynman Technique: explain the book as if teaching a beginner, revising until your understanding is clear. Writing exposes gaps and cements insights.

6. Surround the Topic
Avoid over-relying on a single book or personal experience, as Morgan Housel notes: your history shapes 80% of your worldview but reflects just 0.00000001% of reality. Read multiple books on a topic from different perspectives to build a fuller, more accurate understanding, transcending personal bias.

7. Read It Twice
Great books reward rereading. Karl Popper said worthwhile books reveal new discoveries each time, while Nassim Taleb advises, “Any book not worth rereading isn’t worth reading.” Revisiting books aligns insights with your evolving challenges, reinforces ideas through repetition, and ensures lasting impact, as David Cain emphasizes.

The Bottom Line
Knowledge grows when retained and applied. By quitting mediocre books, choosing applicable reads, taking searchable notes, linking ideas, summarizing, reading diversely, and revisiting masterpieces, you’ll extract lasting value from every book. Commit to these habits, and as James Clear writes in Atomic Habits, a lifelong pursuit of learning will transform your life one idea at a time.

SOURCE: James Clear