The Namibian

BOTTOMLINE | People living in Windhoek are paying more for goods and services compared to other parts of the country. In Windhoek, inflation for the month of September was between 1.2 percentage points and 1.5 percentage points higher than the other regional zones. Inflation is the increase in the prices of goods and services. https://lnkd.in/d95XMiBj

BOTTOMLINE | Sanlam Namibia has reiterated its support towards the fight against cancer. The company once again partnered with the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) as the primary sponsor of the annual Hats & Roses event that took place on Saturday. The insurance company has been actively supporting the Hats & Roses initiative for the past five years, a partnership that has lasted for more than two decades. https://lnkd.in/djrfQ63p

BOTTOMLINE | Revenue from the sale of diamonds has increased by N$2 billion in the last three months. This is a result of higher exports compared to the first quarter. However, according to the Bank of Namibia (BoN) quarterly report, proceeds from rough diamonds declined on an annual basis. https://lnkd.in/dHBuWMkj

Minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo says the country should not take the oil curse lightly and learn from others’ experiences. In a speech delivered by the deputy minister of mines, Kornelia Shilunga, Alweendo says there are many examples around the world from which Namibia can learn. According to Alweendo, there are countries where oil and gas exploitation have negative socio-economic and political impacts. https://lnkd.in/drwv_qKF

The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is partnering with the Ondangwa Private Hospital to provide wellness screenings to GIPF beneficiaries who attend the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF). The wellness screening services will include general medical screenings for vitals, such as blood pressure readings, Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations, cholesterol testing, prostate screening (rapid tests), chronic medication compliance, glucose testing and more. In a statement yesterday, the fund said it will be joined by other partners such as Kuleni Financial Services, the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme and the Namibia Revenue Agency. These partners will provide pension related services pertaining to benefits, medical aid and tax related issues. https://lnkd.in/dWPVW3pp

Namibia needs to plan for the oil industry as if it is already an oil producing country, says Namibia Investment Promotion Board chief executive Nangula Uaandja. The country has discovered oil. However, the commercial viability has not yet been declared. “Let us rather plan as if Namibia is already an oil producing country,” says Uaandja. According to Uaandja, the preparation should not only be done by the government but by citizens too. “Namibians will not need to enjoy the resources if they don’t prepare and seize the opportunity,” says Uaandja. She adds that the country should negotiate mutually beneficial contracts. https://lnkd.in/db-AfsDR

SUSTAINABILITY … Economic Association of Namibia chairperson Jason Kasuto says local and international players in the oil and gas industry should align with the country’s sustainability goals. He was speaking during the Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday. Video: Shania Lazarus

OIL SALES … Namcor acting managing director Ebson Uanguta says the country might only see oil sales in 2029 or 2030. He said this during the Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday. Video: Shania Lazarus

BOTTOMLINE | Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras has made a non-binding offer for a share of Galp Energia’s newly discovered offshore oilfield in Namibia, reported Reuters. This move could position Petrobras as the operator of the Mopane oil and gas field, which boasts an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Speaking to Reuters, Petrobras exploration and production director Sylvia dos Anjos said: “We are the best deep-water operators. If [Galp] does not choose us, it is their loss.” https://lnkd.in/dPZsbZkz

OPINION | Our country is open for business. This was the chorus line espoused here at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) industrial week in Harare of bureaucrats heading investment promotion agencies. During the country presentation segment of the event, it seemed investment promotion agencies were trying to outdo each other, as all claimed their country was the gateway to the SADC market and a huge number of consumers. https://lnkd.in/ddkMSc8U