Namibia Slashes Net Borrowing by 43.6% in 2024 - Issue #24☕

Good morning. Today is Monday and that means another Monday edition from us. Here is what you need to know to get the week started:

Featured Updates:

• Borrowing Down 43.6%: Net borrowing fell to N$4.5 billion, with revenue climbing 13.1% to N$91.9 billion, per the Namibia Statistics Agency.

• New Cabinet Unveiled: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah introduced a leaner team on March 22—14 ministries, 7 deputies—including VP Lucia Witbooi and PM Elijah Ngurare.

• Presidential Priorities: Nandi-Ndaitwah commits to economic diversification, healthcare access, and youth opportunities.

• And more….

Enjoy the read and have a blessed and productive week ahead.☕

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Namibia Slashes Net Borrowing by 43.6% in 2024!

The Namibian government has made significant strides in fiscal consolidation, reducing net borrowing to N$4.5 billion in 2024, a remarkable 43.6% decline from N$8 billion in 2023, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). This achievement reflects improved fiscal management and a stronger economic outlook.

Key Highlights:

• Decline in Borrowing: Net borrowing as a percentage of GDP dropped to 1.8% in 2024, down from 3.5% the previous year.

• Revenue Growth: Government income rose by 13.1% to N$91.9 billion, driven by increased SACU receipts and taxes on income and wealth, which contributed N$27.1 billion and N$32.8 billion, respectively.

• Expenditure Management: Despite a nominal spending increase of 7.7%, the budget deficit improved significantly to N$0.6 billion, compared to N$4.7 billion in 2023.

Challenges and Opportunities:

While property income receivable declined by N$0.7 billion, taxes on production and imports increased to N$21.4 billion, showcasing resilience in key revenue streams. However, gross fixed capital formation fell by 7.9%, largely due to reduced investment in oil and gas exploration.

The Bottom Line:

Namibia’s fiscal discipline and improved revenue collection have strengthened its economic position, paving the way for sustainable growth. As the government continues to balance spending with strategic investments, these efforts are expected to drive long-term economic stability and development.

Source: The Brief

Namibia’s New Cabinet - Who Made The Cut?

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah unveiled Namibia’s new cabinet on Saturday, 22 March 2025, following her inauguration as the country’s first female president. Below is a concise rundown of the people appointed to lead this streamlined government, reduced from 21 to 14 ministries with only seven deputy ministers.

Top Leadership

• President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

• Vice President: Lucia Witbooi

• Prime Minister: Elijah Ngurare

• Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Mines and Energy: Natangwe Ithete

Ministers

• Defence and Veterans Affairs: Frans Kapofi

• Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security: Lucia Iipumbu

• International Relations and Trade: Selma Ashipala-Musavyi

• Finance and Social Grants Management: Ericah Shafudah

• Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform: Albert Hengari

• Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture: Sanet Steenkamp

• Health and Social Services: Esperance Luvindao

• Environment and Tourism: Indileni Daniel

• Information and Communication Technology: Emma Theofelus

• Gender Equality and Child Welfare: Emma Kantema

• Works and Transport: Veikko Nekundi

• Urban and Rural Development: James Sankwasa

• Justice and Labour Relations: Fillemon Wise Immanuel

Deputy Ministers

• Defence and Veterans Affairs: Charles Mubita

• International Relations and Trade: Jenelly Matundu

• Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture: Dino Ballotti

• Industrialisation, Mines and Energy: Gaudentia Kröhne

• Gender Equality and Child Welfare: Linda Bayoli

• Urban and Rural Development: Eveline Nawases-Taeyele

Additional Key Roles

• Attorney General: Festus Mbandeka

• Director-General of the National Planning Commission: Kaire Mbuende

The Bottom Line:

This lineup reflects Nandi-Ndaitwah’s vision for a focused, efficient government, with a notable emphasis on gender balance, nine women hold top positions and a blend of experience and new energy. The team is now in place; the real test is what they will deliver.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Outlines Vision for Namibia’s Future

Namibia’s newly inaugurated President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has pledged transformative leadership to drive economic diversification, infrastructure development, and social progress. Her historic swearing-in on Namibia’s 35th Independence anniversary marks a new era for the nation, with bold plans to address unemployment, inequality, and corruption.

Key Priorities:

1. Economic Diversification:

   • Nandi-Ndaitwah aims to maximize benefits from Namibia’s natural resources through value addition and broaden the economy beyond resource dependency. This strategy will generate jobs and boost revenue.

2. Agriculture and Food Security:

   • Increased investments in agriculture are planned to reduce food imports and ensure local food production meets national needs.

3. Universal Healthcare:

   • The President committed to implementing a Comprehensive Universal Health Coverage policy to guarantee access to quality healthcare for all Namibians.

4. Education and Youth Empowerment:

   • Education remains a top priority, with targeted financing, training, mentorship programs, and internships to equip the youth for active participation in the economy.

5. Infrastructure Development:

   • Plans include upscaling urban land development and improving housing and sanitation to address Namibia’s housing deficit.

6. Zero Tolerance for Corruption:

   • Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized ethical leadership and accountability as critical pillars of sustainable socio-economic development.

7. Regional Integration:

   • Namibia will deepen ties within SADC and leverage opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance trade and cooperation.

The Bottom Line:

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ambitious agenda reflects her commitment to building a prosperous Namibia that prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, and ethical governance. As the nation embraces her leadership, expectations are high for a future of growth, opportunity, and unity under her administration.

Source: The Brief

TECH

AAI: Unleashing Africa's Potential with African Artificial Intelligence!

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, Africa stands at a critical juncture. Instead of simply adopting Western-centric AI models, there's a pressing need for African Artificial Intelligence (AAI)—AI that's tailored to the continent's unique challenges and opportunities.

Key Highlights:

• The AAI Imperative: AAI is essential for addressing Africa's specific needs, from healthcare and agriculture to education. By leveraging AI within an African context, the continent can drive development, innovation, and economic growth.

• Transforming Healthcare: AAI can revolutionize healthcare by improving diagnostic accuracy, predicting disease outbreaks, and personalizing treatment plans, especially in remote areas.

• Boosting Agriculture: By creating precision farming and predictive analytics, AAI can significantly enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Cultural Sensitivity: AAI must be designed to respect African cultural values, protect individual rights, and promote social inclusion.

• Bridging the Digital Divide: To fully leverage AAI, it's crucial to invest in digital infrastructure, expand internet connectivity, and promote digital literacy across the continent.

The Bottom Line:

AAI is not just about technology; it's about empowering Africa to take control of its future. By investing in AAI, the continent can address its most pressing challenges, preserve its cultural heritage, and unlock its immense potential. It's time for Africa to rise and embrace the AAI revolution!

Source: Namibian Business Express

Google Confirms Maps Timeline Data Loss for Some Users

Google has confirmed a significant issue with its Maps Timeline feature, admitting that a technical glitch led to the deletion of some users’ location history data. If you weren’t using cloud backups, your past trips are gone for good. Here’s what you need to know about this unexpected setback.

The Incident

Reports surfaced recently on platforms like Reddit, with Google Maps users noticing their Timeline data, the app’s record of past locations had vanished. Google has now acknowledged the problem, attributing it to a brief technical error. According to spokesperson Genevieve Park in a statement to The Verge: “We experienced an issue that deleted Timeline data for some users. Those with encrypted cloud backups can restore it; those without cannot recover what was lost.”

Recovery Options

The restoration process hinges on one detail: cloud backups. Users who enabled this feature can follow Google’s emailed instructions to retrieve their data. To check your status, open the Google Maps app, tap your profile icon, select “Your Timeline,” and look for the cloud icon, an arrow means backups are active, a line through it means they’re not. Without backups, there’s no fallback. While Google allows exporting Timeline data to a file, there’s no clear way to reimport it without relying on their cloud servers.

Privacy Shift Context

This issue ties back to Google’s move last summer to store Maps location data on-device rather than its servers, a change pitched as a privacy win. It reduces centralized tracking, but as this incident shows, it also shifts the risk to users. A single glitch can erase your history if it’s not backed up online, a trade-off now evident in real time.

The Takeaway:

Google’s admission clarifies the situation, but it’s a tough pill for affected users without backups. The shift to on-device storage offers control, yet this glitch underscores its limits. For those impacted, it’s a reminder to double-check settings or consider how much you rely on Timeline at all.

Source: The Verge

EVENTS

Youth in Oil and Gas Summit Returns to Namibia, Gains African Energy Chamber Endorsement! 🚀🇳🇦

The 2nd Annual Youth in Oil and Gas Summit is set to take place on July 25-26, 2025, in Walvis Bay, Namibia, at the Walvis Bay Town Hall. Under the theme "Drilling into the Future: Empowering Youth in Namibia’s Oil & Gas Revolution," the summit aims to inspire and equip young Africans for success in the energy sector.

Key Highlights:

• AEC Endorsement: The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has endorsed the summit, recognizing its critical role in shaping the future of Africa’s energy landscape.

• Youth Empowerment: Founded by Justina Erastus, the summit seeks to democratize knowledge, open career opportunities, and inspire innovation among Africa’s youth in the oil and gas industry.

• Dynamic Agenda: The event will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions on innovation and sustainable development, intensive workshops, and networking opportunities.

Impact and Opportunities:

• Networking: In 2024, the summit facilitated direct interaction between over 600 young professionals and industry leaders.

• Strategic Focus: This year’s summit is strategically positioned to elevate its status as Africa’s premier youth platform in the energy sector, fostering meaningful engagement and driving innovation.

The Bottom Line:

With the African Energy Chamber’s endorsement, the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit is poised to be a pivotal event for young Africans looking to break into the energy sector. By providing access to knowledge, networking opportunities, and skill-development programs, the summit is empowering the next generation of energy leaders and innovators.

Sources: namibiaoilandgas.com

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Quote of The Day

Writer and pilot Richard Bach on how our beliefs shape our reality:

“Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they’re yours.”

Source: ​Illusions​