Good morning. It’s Friday again…! As this week ends, here is what’s in the spotlight: the Namibia Revenue Agency's (NamRA) whistleblowing hotline recovering a significant N$3.4 million in tax crackdowns to the City of Windhoek facing a N$2.7 billion challenge in servicing informal settlements. On the national stage, the Office of the Prime Minister is urging swift action on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) recommendations to propel Namibia into a future of digital transformation and economic growth. Let's dive into these stories and more. Happy Reading!☕

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Namibia Unlocks Trade Potential with Coordinated Border Management

Namibia is taking a bold step to turbocharge its trade efficiency with the launch of the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) National Strategy. This initiative aims to streamline cross-border trade, slash non-tariff barriers, and boost Namibia's global competitiveness by aligning with the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement.

What's the Big Deal?

• Historical Challenges: Namibia previously lacked a structured border management strategy, with over 12 agencies operating without a unified approach.

• Delays Cost Businesses: Prolonged clearance times at ports like Walvis Bay, where consignments often linger for 19 days, have been a major hurdle for trade efficiency.

• CBM Strategy: The new strategy seeks to enhance coordination among border agencies, ensuring efficient clearance times and reducing administrative burdens for businesses.

Key Components:

• Inter-Agency Collaboration: The strategy promotes cooperation among customs, immigration, security, and health agencies to facilitate lawful trade while minimizing clearance times.

• Risk-Based Approach: Implementing a risk-based system to ensure security and compliance without unnecessary delays.

• Electronic Single Window: Plans to introduce an electronic single window system to simplify trade documentation and procedures.

• One-Stop Border Posts: Building on existing One-Stop Border Posts with Botswana, Zambia, and Angola to expedite trade.

Progress and Future Plans:

• Implementation Rate: Namibia's implementation rate of Trade Facilitation Agreement measures has surged from 3.16% to 85.8% over two years.

• AfCFTA Preparation: The CBM strategy is crucial for Namibia's readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhancing regional trade efficiency.

• Legislative Approval: The strategy is set for Cabinet approval and subsequent legislation by the Namibian Parliament.

The Bottom Line:

Namibia's CBM National Strategy is a game-changer for trade efficiency and competitiveness. By streamlining border operations and enhancing inter-agency collaboration, Namibia is poised to attract foreign investment, boost economic growth, and solidify its position as a key trade hub in Southern Africa.

Source: The Brief

Windhoek's Informal Settlements: A N$2.7 Billion Challenge!

Windhoek is facing a monumental task: servicing 12,000 erven in its informal settlements, which will cost a whopping N$2.7 billion! Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja highlighted the urgency, as these settlements are growing at a staggering 6.1% annually, more than twice the city's overall population growth rate.

The Situation:

• Rapid Expansion: Informal settlements are doubling in size every 11 years, compared to the city's overall population doubling time of 21 years.

• Current State: Around 200,000 residents live in 130 informal settlements across Windhoek.

• Development Strategy: The City Council approved a development and upgrading strategy in 2019, initially requiring N$400 million in seed capital.

Funding Challenges:

• Cross-Subsidisation Model: The City relies on a cross-subsidisation model, targeting high and middle-income earners to fund housing development in informal settlements.

• Default Rate Concerns: With a default rate of around 30%, the City is cautious about investing directly in informal settlements.

• Revolving Fund: The Build-Together housing programme has been revived, with over N$100 million received through a revolving fund, enabling the construction of over 500 houses.

Recent Initiatives:

• Affordable Housing Policy: Adopted in 2021 to provide low-income housing.

• Low-Cost Housing Units: 700 units were unveiled in informal settlements in 2023 at a cost of N$120 million.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Mayor Larandja is calling for stakeholders to support City projects, emphasizing that it shouldn't solely be the government's responsibility.

The Bottom Line:

Windhoek's informal settlements present a significant challenge, but with collaborative efforts and innovative funding strategies, there's hope for meaningful progress. The City's approach to affordable housing and stakeholder engagement could be a model for addressing similar issues across Namibia.

Source: The brief

 Windhoek Faces Trading Space Shortage

Windhoek is grappling with a significant challenge: a deficit of 3,000 trading spaces amid a growing population. Here is what we know so far:

The Challenge

• Shortage: The city lacks approximately 3,000 trading spaces to meet current demand.

• Existing Facilities: Windhoek currently offers 17 official open markets, one communal car wash, two craft-focused markets, and occasional pop-up markets—far from sufficient.

• Impact: Small businesses and startups are struggling, squeezed by limited space and access to capital, according to Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja.

The Solution

• Master Plan: The City Council has approved the Informal Market Master Plan, initially proposed in 2022, to address the shortfall.

• Approach: New markets will be developed through:

  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborative efforts with private investors.

  • Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT): Private entities construct and manage markets before transferring ownership to the city.

  • Joint Ventures (JVs): Shared funding and resources between the city and private partners.

• Timeline: Mayor Larandja has urged investors to prepare for an upcoming call for collaboration.

The Vision

• Goals: Expand trading spaces to boost job creation, support local entrepreneurs, and strengthen the economy.

• Past Steps: In 2022, the city approved a Spatial Development Framework to integrate trading spaces into mixed-use developments and introduced plans for central business district (CBD) markets to curb unregulated vending.

The Bottomline: Windhoek is poised to transform its entrepreneurial landscape, but success hinges on private investment. With the city ready to act, it’s now a waiting game for partners with the resources to fuel this growth.

Source: The Brief

NamRA's Whistleblowing Hotline Strikes Gold - N$3.4 Million Recovered in Tax Crackdown

The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is celebrating a major win in its fight against tax evasion and financial misconduct! Thanks to its whistleblowing hotline, launched in May 2023, NamRA has recovered a whopping N$3.4 million from three companies in November and December 2024. This follows assessments totaling N$15.8 million, marking a significant step forward in enhancing transparency and accountability.

What's the Big Deal?

• Whistleblowing Hotline Success: The hotline, independently managed by Deloitte Namibia, has received 60 reports related to fraud, corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, and other unethical practices since its inception.

• Public Engagement: NamRA is encouraging taxpayers and stakeholders to use the hotline to report suspicious activities, emphasizing the public's role in maintaining integrity within Namibia's tax system.

• Impact on Compliance: The agency remains committed to strengthening tax compliance and views the whistleblowing hotline as a critical tool in this effort.

The Bottom Line:

NamRA's whistleblowing hotline is proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against financial misconduct. By empowering the public to report suspicious activities, NamRA is not only recovering lost revenue but also sending a strong message about the importance of transparency and accountability in Namibia's tax system.

Source: The Brief

Tech

Namibia's 4IR Push: OPM Urges Swift Action on Task Force Recommendations

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is sounding the alarm for Namibia to accelerate its Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) ambitions! Executive Director I-Ben Nashandi emphasized the need for urgent implementation of the 4IR Task Force's recommendations, which were officially submitted in 2022.

What's at Stake?

• National Strategy: The strategy aims to provide overarching direction and multi-sectoral planning, focusing on education reform to address the 4IR skills gap, cybersecurity, and ICT infrastructure expansion.

• Cybersecurity Risks: Nashandi highlighted the importance of bolstering institutional structures and IT infrastructure to manage emerging cybersecurity threats.

• Performance Management: He stressed the need for effective performance management systems (PMS) to track progress and ensure accountability across government institutions.

Key Recommendations:

• National Data Centre: A feasibility study for establishing a National Data Centre is crucial for Namibia's digital transformation efforts.

• Business Process Reengineering: Nashandi advocated for a business process reengineering approach within OPM, encouraging functional IT solutions to improve efficiency.

• Food Security: Accelerating local food production capacity is vital to reduce dependence on imports and enhance resilience.

Vision 2030 and Beyond:

• E-Government Mainstreaming: Nashandi called for strategic planning to integrate e-government services across public services, enhancing service delivery.

• Employment Creation: He emphasized the importance of employment creation and local sourcing through outcome-oriented procurement plans to support domestic economic growth.

The Bottom Line:

Namibia's journey towards embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution requires swift and decisive action. By implementing the 4IR Task Force's recommendations, Namibia can unlock new opportunities for economic growth, improve service delivery, and position itself as a leader in digital transformation in Africa.

Source: The Brief

Gemini Gets Smarter with Personalized AI Responses

Google is bringing a new level of personalization to its Gemini chatbot. In an update shared on March 13, 2025, the company introduced a feature that allows Gemini to reference your search history to “enhance” its responses when personalization is enabled.

The gist:

• A new optional feature lets Gemini analyze your search history to tailor its answers

• Powered by the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, it only uses search data if it’s “helpful”

• Users can enable or disable the feature and see how Gemini uses their data

• The rollout starts with web users and is expanding to mobile in over 40 languages

The announcement follows Google’s ongoing efforts to make Gemini stand out among competitor’s AI chatbots. With this update, the company is tapping into its vast Search capabilities—for example, using your recent searches to offer better restaurant or travel recommendations.

The big picture: With AI chatbots like ChatGPT gaining popularity, Google is leaning on its strength in Search to keep Gemini competitive. This personalization feature, which will eventually tie into apps like YouTube and Google Photos, aims to make Gemini a more intuitive and connected assistant, solidifying Google’s lead in the AI space.

Source: The Verge

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

"Youth is not about age, but about the courage to chase dreams relentlessly." - Unknown

This quote emphasizes the importance of courage and determination in pursuing one's dreams, regardless of age. It's a reminder that young people have the power to shape their own futures and achieve great things with passion and perseverance.

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

This quote encourages young minds to believe in themselves and their abilities, which is a crucial step towards achieving their goals and realizing their potential.

What else is buzzing

Iipumbu Shiimi is pitching a public procurement court to sort out disputes, hoping to iron out the kinks in government buying. A slick fix to keep the wheels turning—and tempers cool.

Namibia Revenue Agency boss Sam Shivute dropped a bombshell at the Coordinated Border Management launch: sluggish border clearing is costing businesses an extra 30-40%. With goods stuck for 19-20 days, it’s less “express lane” and more “send help.”

Parcels are the postal industry’s new golden child, fueling growth while snail mail fades. With packages zipping around, the post office is officially too cool for stamps.

Windhoek’s small business boom is hitting a wall literally with a 3,000-stall shortfall. Demand’s sky-high; now the city just needs to build the supply.

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Alright, that is it! Happy Friday Folks! Catch you on Monday.