Windhoek Records Lowest Inflation Rate in Namibia for April 2025-☕ # ISSUE 44

Today’s Headlines: Inflation Drops, EU’s N$408B Green Boost, Kasama Road Renamed, and Omaongo Festival Magic

• Windhoek posts Namibia’s lowest inflation at 3.2% in April, signaling easing price pressures amid regional disparities.

• EU plans a massive N$408 billion investment to supercharge Namibia’s green energy future, spotlighting the game-changing HyIron Oshivela Project.

• Kasama Road in Lusaka to be renamed Hage Geingob Road, honoring Namibia’s late president and his deep Zambian roots.

• Omaongo Festival lights up northern Namibia, celebrating marula magic, culture, and community unity with vibrant traditions and spirited festivities.

Stay tuned for the full stories and what they mean for you!

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

EU Eyes N$408 Billion Investment to Power Namibia’s Green Energy Future

Highlights:

• European Union commits N$408 billion to Namibia’s green energy sector

• Strategic partnership on green hydrogen and critical raw materials driving progress

• HyIron Oshivela Project in Arandis showcases successful EU-Namibia collaboration

• EU Ambassador Ana-Beatriz Martins emphasizes “Team Europe” unity and innovation

• Partnership aims to tackle climate change, economic uncertainty, and security threats

The European Union is set to invest a staggering N$408 billion in Namibia’s green energy sector, marking a major boost to the country’s sustainable development agenda. This announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Namibia Ana-Beatriz Martins during the 2025 Europe Day celebrations held in Windhoek on Wednesday.

Martins highlighted the deepening ties between the EU and Namibia over the past 25 years, pointing to a strategic partnership launched three years ago focusing on green hydrogen and critical raw materials. This alliance is already bearing fruit, with tangible projects reshaping Namibia’s energy landscape.

A shining example is the HyIron Oshivela Project in Arandis, which blends cutting-edge German technology with Namibia’s resources, creating a powerful symbol of what the EU and Namibia can achieve together. “This is what happens when the EU and member states unite as Team Europe,” Martins said, underscoring the importance of collaboration and shared expertise.

Looking forward, the ambassador expressed optimism that this partnership will help both regions confront global challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and security threats. “Together, Europe and Namibia can transform these challenges into opportunities,” she concluded, envisioning a future powered by innovation, cooperation, and mutual growth.

Bottom Line:
The EU’s N$408 billion investment signals a transformative era for Namibia’s green energy sector, leveraging strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology to drive sustainable growth. This collaboration not only strengthens EU-Namibia relations but also positions both to tackle pressing global challenges through unity and innovation.

Source: The Namibian

Windhoek Records Lowest Inflation Rate in Namibia for April 2025

Highlights:

• Windhoek posts lowest annual inflation at 3.2% among Namibian regions

• Zone 1 follows with 3.7%, Zone 3 highest at 4.1% inflation rate

• Sunflower oil prices highest in Zone 2 (N$33.43), lowest in Zone 3 (N$31.95)

• Rooibos tea bags cheapest in Windhoek (N$33.74), most expensive in Zone 1 (N$37.76)

• Namibia’s headline inflation slows to 3.6% in April, down from 4.8% in April 2024

• Monthly inflation rise slows to 0.2%, down from 0.5% in March

• Core inflation at 4%, above headline rate

Windhoek, the capital city in the Khomas region, recorded the lowest inflation rate in Namibia for April 2025, standing at 3.2%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) this week.

Trailing Windhoek, Zone 1-which includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions-registered an inflation rate of 3.7%. Meanwhile, Zone 3-comprising //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, and Omaheke-experienced the highest inflation at 4.1%.

Price variations were evident across regions. Consumers in Zone 2 paid the most for a 750ml bottle of pure sunflower oil at N$33.43, followed by Zone 1 at N$32.58, while Zone 3 consumers paid the least at N$31.95. When it comes to rooibos tea bags (100g), Windhoek shoppers enjoyed the lowest price of N$33.74, compared to Zone 1’s highest price of N$37.76.

The headline annual inflation rate for April 2025 was 3.6%, marking a decline from 4.8% recorded in April 2024. Headline inflation reflects the overall price change of a basket of goods and services, including volatile items like food and energy, which are susceptible to fluctuations driven by weather, geopolitical events, and supply-demand shifts.

On a monthly basis, inflation edged up by 0.2 percentage points in April, slowing from a 0.5 percentage point increase in March. Statistician General Alex Shimuafeni noted that April’s inflation rate also marks the fiscal inflation baseline for the 2025/26 financial year.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stood slightly higher at 4%, indicating underlying inflationary pressures beyond headline figures.

Bottom Line:
Windhoek’s relatively low inflation rate offers some relief amid rising costs nationwide, but regional disparities persist. While headline inflation cools, core inflation signals ongoing price pressures. Monitoring these trends is crucial as Namibia navigates economic stability in the new fiscal year.

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Source: The Namibian

SADC

Kasama Road in Lusaka to Be Renamed in Honour of Late Namibian President Hage Geingob

This Friday, Lusaka’s Kasama Road will be officially renamed Hage Geingob Road, paying tribute to the late Namibian president’s enduring legacy and deep connection to Zambia, reports Zambian media.

Former first lady Monica Geingos confirmed she will attend the ceremony, recalling how Geingob often said Zambia was his “second home.” From 1976 until 1989, Geingob lived in Lusaka, leading the United Nations Institute for Namibia during Namibia’s fight for independence.

Geingos shared an intriguing insight: as Namibia’s first prime minister, Geingob ensured government vehicles bore the registration prefix “GRN”, a respectful nod to Zambia’s “GRZ” plates. She also revealed that Namibia’s iconic slogan, “One Namibia, One Nation,” was inspired by Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda’s rallying cry, “One Zambia, One Nation.”

Zambian politician Joseph Kalimbwe described Geingob as “not just a Namibian president, but a son of Lusaka,” highlighting how he was part of a proud lineage of Southern African Development Community leaders who lived in Lusaka and embraced its culture and language.

The renaming of Kasama Road stands as a powerful symbol of regional unity and the shared history between Zambia and Namibia, honouring a leader who bridged nations and inspired solidarity across southern Africa

Source: The Namibian

CULTURE

Omaongo Festival: Northern Namibia’s Marula Magic Unites Tradition and Community

Every year, northern Namibia bursts into a kaleidoscope of colour and culture as the eight Aawambo communities gather for the Omaongo Festival-a vibrant celebration of heritage, unity, and the beloved marula fruit drink.

A Toast to Tradition: The Making of Omaongo

Omaongo (also spelled omaango or omagongo, depending on the Oshiwambo dialect) is more than just a drink-it’s a symbol of community. Crafted from the abundant marula fruit, the process is a communal affair: men carve wooden goblets and tools from cattle horns, while women weave baskets and shape clay pots. Together with the youth, they collect ripe marula, extracting and fermenting the juice in clay vessels for up to a week. The result? A tangy, refreshing beverage that brings generations together.

A Festival of Heritage and Style

This year’s festival unfolded at the Omedhi palace in Ohangwena, hosted by Queen Martha Nelumbu of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority. The theme-‘The Preservation of Cultural Heritage and the Enhancement of Unity Among the Community’-set the tone for a dazzling display of tradition. Women turned heads in odhelela dresses and skirts, some opting for modern twists, others honouring classic designs. Leather aprons adorned with omba shells and men’s shirts in bold prints completed the scene, blending old and new with effortless flair.

More Than a Drink: A Living Classroom

While omaongo ferments, the festival becomes a hive of activity and learning. Women swap stories about family and daily life, sing traditional songs, recite poetry, and pass on the secrets of basketry and pottery. Here, skills are not taught in classrooms but lived and shared-young and old, side by side, preserving culture through participation and storytelling.

A Presidential Toast and a Call to Action

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined the festivities, introduced in Oshiwambo by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare-a gesture rich in respect. In her keynote, the president celebrated the festival’s role in enriching Aawambo heritage and called for unity in tackling Namibia’s pressing challenges, including gender-based violence. She urged the community to stand together in identifying perpetrators and nurturing responsible citizens, while also honouring former president Sam Nujoma, the visionary behind this annual tradition.

Feasting, Dancing, and Looking Ahead

With speeches done, the real celebration began. Drums of omaongo were tapped, plates piled high, and the air filled with music and laughter as the community danced into the night. The festival’s spirit-joyful, inclusive, and deeply rooted-was unmistakable.

Next year, the baton passes to the Uukwambi and Uukwaluudhi traditional authorities, who will each host their own edition of this much-loved festival. Until then, the taste of omaongo and the echoes of celebration will linger, a reminder of the strength and unity at the heart of Namibia’s north.