AGP Executive Report

Colonial Accountability: German lawmakers debated calls for formal recognition of Germany’s legal responsibility for the genocide of the OvaHerero and Nama, and reparations for descendants. The proposals now go to committee. Foot-and-Mouth Response: Namibia has begun compulsory vaccination in the Karasburg district, with three rounds planned over three months, as authorities work to contain the outbreak and build a new disease-control fence. Anti-Corruption: The ACC says 55 of its 94 accumulated Erongo cases are under investigation and 21 are before the courts. Its director warned corruption could undermine the country’s oil and gas prospects. Public Oversight: Parliament is debating 13 appointments to the Employment Equity Commission, with MPs calling for stronger enforcement and adequate resources. State Services: TransNamib’s N$2.6 billion locomotive plan still needs lender approval before procurement can proceed. Separately, an audit found N$20.3 million in student loan repayments had not been credited to NSFAF accounts.

FMD Response: Namibia has begun compulsory vaccination in the Karasburg veterinary district, with three rounds planned over three months. Authorities report 131 positive cases across 18 farms; farmers are pressing for supervised livestock sales to limit losses from movement restrictions. Energy Policy: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare appointed John Titus as Namibia’s first Nuclear Commissioner and established a government committee to coordinate preparations for a long-term nuclear programme. Digital Government: Cabinet has directed the ICT ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister to develop an AI policy for public servants, with cybersecurity and data protection among the priorities. Public Spending: Gender minister Emma Kantema says grant recipients flagged in an audit may have qualified under rules allowing support for students aged 18 to 21; the ministry is checking eligibility and removing unverified beneficiaries. Investment and Jobs: The National Planning Commission will hold its public-private forum on 25–26 November, shifting its focus to implementing commitments and tracking results.

Public-Sector AI: Cabinet has directed the ICT ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister to develop a policy guiding artificial intelligence use in government, with cybersecurity and data protection among the priorities. Genocide Declaration: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare urged Namibians to unite around a common position on the contested declaration, as Germany’s Bundestag debated the issue. Rule of Law: Namibia warned the UN that selective application of international law and misuse of Security Council vetoes are eroding trust and accountability. Public Finance: An audit found N$323 million in child grants went to ineligible or deceased recipients, including N$28.8 million in duplicate payments. FMD Response: Veterinary services underspent their budget by N$13.1 million in 2024/25, despite mounting livestock-disease risks; the ministry says it needs about N$200 million to strengthen containment. Football Governance: The NFA suspended its finance director amid allegations of financial irregularities, shortly after receiving N$90 million in Namport sponsorship.

Rule of Law: A High Court ruling allowed emergency construction of the //Kharas FMD fence to continue, but criticised the procurement board for failing to explain why it cancelled the original tender. The case is a reminder that urgency does not remove the duty to follow procurement rules. Student Loans: NSFAF recovered just N$21.5 million of its N$11.7 billion loan portfolio in 2024/25. Auditors cited weak debt tracing and records, and N$20.3 million in repayments left unallocated. Livestock Protection: FMD has spread to the Zambezi Region, raising the risk to farmers, trade and food security. Omaheke leaders are urging a regional action plan and stronger prevention measures. Nuclear Oversight: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare appointed John Titus as Namibia’s first nuclear commissioner to coordinate preparations for possible nuclear power, including safety, funding and waste management. Financial Integrity: The Financial Intelligence Centre flagged N$103.84 billion in transactions linked to potential tax offences between 2009 and 2025. The figure is not confirmed tax evasion, but the FIC says Namibia must turn its removal from the FATF grey list into stronger investigations and prosecutions. Mental Health: The government plans five additional mental health units by 2037, amid a reported suicide rate above the African average and a shortage of psychiatrists.

FMD and Procurement: A new foot-and-mouth outbreak in Zambezi is raising concern as fence construction continues. The High Court criticized the Central Procurement Board for failing to explain its cancellation of the fence tender, but rejected a bid to halt the contract. Mining Benefits: PDM leader McHenry Venaani wants 2% to 5% of mining royalties channelled to community trusts; the government says royalties currently flow to the state. Namibia has also adopted a strategy to encourage local processing of minerals. Public Accountability: IPC MP Nelson Kalangula says the N$20 million feasibility study for the planned Namibia Air launch should be made public. Finance Minister Erica Shafudah says a possible N$815 million GIPF investment loss remains unconfirmed while a tax dispute continues. Farm Support: Government has made N$70 million available to buy surplus maize, but the Agronomic Board needs another N$50 million to purchase all available grain. Education and Jobs: Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge urged young people to build practical skills and create jobs, while Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp called for stronger teaching and school support.

FMD Response: The High Court allowed emergency construction of the southern border fence to continue as foot-and-mouth disease spreads, but reprimanded the procurement board over its handling of the original tender. Namibia has reported 127 cases across 15 farms. Health Services: The government plans at least five mental health units nationwide by 2037, alongside increased funding and specialist training, as officials warn of high demand and limited access to care. International Affairs: Namibia is represented at a Libya meeting of the African Committee of Ten, which is pressing for two permanent UN Security Council seats for Africa, with full powers. Government Oversight: The High Court rejected the industries minister’s approval of a cement-sector merger, renewing questions about ministerial power to override the competition watchdog. Development: Germany and Namibia have agreed on N$103 million for energy access and sustainable critical-minerals projects.

Mental Health: Namibia has pledged to raise mental-health funding by at least 4% annually from 2027/28 and expand services, with just two facilities and four Namibian psychiatrists currently available. Green Industry: Germany has agreed to provide N$103 million for projects supporting electricity access and sustainable critical-mineral value chains. Housing: The government allocated N$146 million to the Shack Dwellers Federation; about 1,864 homes and 250 rural sanitation facilities were completed in 2025/26. Public Accountability: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Namport have stressed oversight of the port’s N$90 million football sponsorship to the NFA, payable over three years. Land Reform: A five-year audit will assess whether resettlement farms are productive and how many remain unallocated. Economic Policy: MPs are scrutinising an oil bill over royalty safeguards and powers proposed for the President, while a new trade commission bill aims to strengthen tariff management.

Public Spending: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare have called for accountability over Namport’s N$90 million football sponsorship, funded from the state-owned port’s declared dividend. Housing: The government injected N$146 million into the Shack Dwellers Federation in 2025/26; the ministry says 1,864 homes and 250 rural sanitation facilities were completed. Civil Records: Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu urged couples to check their marriage registrations, after digitalisation exposed gaps in records held by churches, courts and overseas archives. Land Reform: Government plans a five-year audit of resettlement farms and an investigation into unused properties, shifting focus to whether allocations are productive. Public Finance: The Auditor-General flagged a N$50 million double-counted land purchase in the agriculture ministry’s accounts, alongside N$101 million in underspending. Oil Governance: MPs are questioning royalty safeguards and proposed transfers of authority to the President in the petroleum bill.

Judicial Legacy: Chief Justice Johan Strydom was laid to rest at a state funeral. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said his contribution to constitutional government should be honoured by protecting judicial independence and widening access to justice. Labour Dispute: The Mineworkers Union of Namibia is pressing Namdeb to recognise Liana Festus as Oranjemund branch chair after she won 510 votes. The company withdrew her shop-steward recognition days after the union submitted its candidate list; the dispute is before the Labour Commissioner. Public Finance: The Auditor-General flagged a N$50 million double-counting error in the agriculture ministry’s accounts and N$101 million in underspending, contributing to a qualified audit opinion. Land Reform: Minister Inge Zaamwani has ordered a five-year review of resettlement farms, including their allocation and productivity. Mining Jobs: President Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged mining to deliver more employment, while Minister Modestus Amutse warned companies against cycling workers through contractors to cut labour costs.

Mining and Jobs: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah wants mining to create meaningful employment, while Minister Modestus Amutse warned companies against using contractors to keep workers in cycles of short-term, low-cost jobs. Land Reform: Minister Inge Zaamwani ordered a five-year audit of resettlement farms to assess allocations, productivity and support needs. Football Funding: Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namport’s N$90 million sponsorship must benefit players and communities nationwide, with every dollar accounted for. Public Projects: Windhoek says Sam Nujoma Stadium’s current upgrade will not meet CAF standards; a second phase may cost more. Works Minister Veikko Nekundi also commissioned the N$231.6 million Southern Link road extension. Accountability: IPC accuses TransNamib of delaying disciplinary hearings for two senior executives; the claims have not been independently established. MPs are also questioning royalty safeguards and proposed presidential powers in the oil bill. Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Government is opting for vaccination over culling as cases rise, while the outbreak threatens access to the EU beef market.

State-Owned Enterprises: The IPC accused TransNamib of delaying disciplinary hearings for two executives suspended over alleged property mismanagement and irregularities, raising concerns about accountability and ministerial interference. Petroleum Oversight: MPs challenged an oil-sector amendment that would shift powers to the President, warning that proposed changes could weaken safeguards on royalty decisions and leave local-content commitments unenforceable. Foot-and-Mouth Response: As the outbreak disrupts livestock trade, an editorial called for regular public briefings, while President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged national cooperation. Digital ID: MPs pressed officials on access for remote communities, data security, costs and the delayed rollout, which awaits a legal framework. Trade and Public Funds: Government tabled a bill to establish a trade commission with powers over tariffs and unfair imports; meanwhile, analysts warned the proposed Welwitschia Fund law lacks key rules and checks on ministerial power. Football Funding: Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed NamPort’s N$90 million commitment over three years and urged the football association to ensure transparent, professional use of the money.

Trade Policy: The government has tabled a bill to create an independent trade commission with authority over tariffs and investigations into dumping and subsidised imports. Public Finance: A proposed Welwitschia Fund bill is nearing Parliament, but Simonis Storm says key deposit and withdrawal rules are missing and the finance minister would hold too much appointment and investment power. Foot-and-Mouth Crisis: Namibia is stepping up controls as cases rise to 127, while the EU has suspended meat imports. Government has opted for vaccination over culling, and opposition figures are pressing for farmer relief and a recovery plan. Ministerial Accountability: The High Court restored the competition commission’s ban on the cement merger after overturning the minister’s approval; an IPC MP is asking whether the minister should answer for costs linked to the unlawful decision. State Oversight: Environment Minister Indileni Daniel has launched an investigation into Namibia Wildlife Resorts over alleged financial mismanagement, governance failures and labour practices. Regional Credit Outlook: Moody’s has shifted its sub-Saharan Africa outlook to positive, naming Namibia among eight countries with positive outlooks, while warning that debt burdens and weak revenues remain risks.

Student Rights: The IPC is threatening legal action over plans to deregister 20 medical laboratory sciences students at NUST. State Honours: Swapo veteran Jerry Ekandjo wants the 15-member committee that recommends state funerals disbanded and replaced with an ad hoc panel. Foot-and-Mouth Response: With cases at 127, the government has chosen vaccination over culling, saying the outbreak was detected too late for culling to be effective. Venaani is calling for emergency relief for affected farmers as trade restrictions hit the meat industry. The EU says it backs efforts to open international markets to northern communal farmers if they achieve disease-free status. Parliamentary Conduct: Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila rejected a call to apologise to Amupanda and Haikola-Sakaria over their removal from the chamber, saying MPs must use proper procedures to challenge rulings.

FMD Response: With cases reported on 15 farms, the EU has suspended Namibian beef imports. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says containment is under way, while opposition leader Panduleni Itula wants a costed recovery plan, funding details and disclosure of emergency contracts amid a dispute over a disease-control fence. Local Accountability: Walvis Bay councillors are expected to vote on ending the RedForce debt-collection contract, which the urban development minister has ordered halted after an Attorney General’s opinion found it invalid. In Windhoek, the council has declined public discussions on activists’ concerns about land, governance and services, citing internal processes. Development Partnership: Germany committed about N$822 million to Namibian projects in 2025, including work on vocational training, green energy and water security. Judicial Oversight: The High Court has blocked approval of a proposed cement merger between Whale Rock and Ohorongo.