News & Analysis
Namibia
December 2017
Country Briefing
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December 2017
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Quick Facts Population size Employment Literacy
2.30 million
GDP Growth 2016 Repo Rate Interest rate (Prime) Inflation rate
0.20% 6.75% 10.50% 5.20%
66.00% 89.00%
Geographic size 824,292 km²
Budget (Current) N$62.54 Billion
Free vector map of Namibia outline - by One Stop Map
Tourism, Mining, Fishing
Water Availability / capita1
8, 800, 000Litres/capita
Electricity Gen. (Local) Electricity Demand (all)
484.000 MW
LTE 2.575 million subscribers
629.000 MW
3
2005 Figures https://www.greenfacts.org/en/water-resources/figtableboxes/aquastat123.htm
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Industries Telecom (sophistication) Mobile - cell phones
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Table of Contents Oil & Gas ................................................................................................................................................. 7 •
Fuel prices up again .................................................................................................................... 7
Economy at a glance............................................................................................................................... 8 •
Namibian Mid-Term Budget Review 2017/18 – 2019/20 ........................................................... 8
•
Namibia’s economy to enter negative territory in 2017 – IMF .................................................. 9
A glimpse of the future ........................................................................................................................ 10 •
3D printed solar energy-harvesting trees ................................................................................. 10
Oil and Gas............................................................................................................................................ 11 •
Hydro-carbons a potential game-changer for growth and transformation ............................. 11
•
Mines Minister meets with Kudu and NamDeb to iron out pipeline challenges ...................... 11
Uranium ................................................................................................................................................ 11 •
Foibe Namene appointed as Rössing Uranium board chairperson .......................................... 11
Electricity .............................................................................................................................................. 12 •
Namibia and electricity security ............................................................................................... 12
•
NamPower monopoly? ............................................................................................................. 12
•
PPPs expected to drive power generation projects.................................................................. 12
•
Windhoek prepaid electricity services ...................................................................................... 13
•
Namibia Power Supply stable ................................................................................................... 13
•
Electricity Control Board conducts national electricity tariff study ......................................... 13
•
Electricity connections for Windhoek's informal settlement on the cards .............................. 13
•
Approved Electricity Tariffs (2017) ........................................................................................... 14
Renewable Energy ................................................................................................................................ 15 •
Money crisis delays Baynes project .......................................................................................... 15
•
Oshana school learners to benefit from household solar power project ................................. 15
Water .................................................................................................................................................... 17 •
Water debts .............................................................................................................................. 17
•
Neckertal dam’s delay ............................................................................................................... 17
•
Farmers water shortage ............................................................................................................ 17
ICT Competitive Index Ratings improve .................................................................................... 18
•
Telecom to upgrade broadband for free .................................................................................. 18
•
100% 3G roll-out starts ............................................................................................................. 18
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By 2019, MTC’s intention to have another 524 sites. ............................................................... 19
•
Southern campus launches innovation hub ............................................................................. 19
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Telecommunications ............................................................................................................................ 18
Country Brief – NAMIBIA •
December 2017
Cyber security ministry proposed ............................................................................................. 19
Environment & Sustainability .............................................................................................................. 20 •
Productivity required from Farmers ......................................................................................... 20
•
Water project delayed .............................................................................................................. 20
Roads and Transport ............................................................................................................................ 23 •
RFA and KfW sign loan agreement............................................................................................ 23
•
Breweries support road safety.................................................................................................. 23
Financing ............................................................................................................................................... 24 •
Solar for Oshana's youth ........................................................................................................... 24
•
AfDB N$2 billion boost to the education and agriculture sectors ............................................ 24
•
Namibia and Germany sign loan agreement to finance priority roads projects ...................... 24
Tenders ................................................................................................................................................. 25
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Careers .................................................................................................................................................. 27
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 COVER PAGE IMAGE https://is.alicdn.com/
This report is a FREE Publication and was prepared by RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia. The content is collated from publicly available information and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Advertising aligned with our objectives of Sustainable Resource usage is welcome. Contact Details; RDJ Consulting Services CC PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA
Editor: David Jarrett Authors: Chilombo Olga Priscila
Telephone: +264 61 400 171 Email – Office@rdjconsulting.co.za RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.
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Visit our website www.rdjconsulting.co.za for more information.
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Oil & Gas
Liquid Fuels The Ministry of Mines and Energy announced that the prices of petrol and diesel pumps increased on 6th December 2017.2 Petrol (95 Octane) - N$ 11.70 /L Diesel (500 PPM) - N$ 11.73 / L Diesel (50 PPM) - N$ 11.78 / L Namibia has no refinery capacity to-date Namibia currently ranks 14th in the Fraser Institute Global Petroleum Survey, 2016 of small reserve holders, placing Namibia 5 places ahead of South Africa. www.fraserinstitute.org
Fuel prices up again3
T
he ministry of mines and energy has announced that fuel prices increased, again. This marks the
third straight increase in fuel prices across the board since the beginning of a hiking cycle first witnessed in September. Fuel prices increased by 50 cents for both unleaded petrol and all grades of diesel, and the increase had effect from December, 6 after midnight. With the upward adjustment in fuel prices, motorists in Walvis Bay now pay N$11.70 for a litre of unleaded petrol, N$11.73 per litre for 500 ppm diesel and N$11.78 per litre for 50 ppm diesel.
http://www.mme.gov.na/files/publications/ https://www.namibiansun.com/news/fuel-prices-up-again2017-12-04/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Economy at a glance
Namibian Mid-Term Budget Review 2017/18 – 2019/204
A
nalysis of the Namibian Mid-Year Budget Review that was tabled in the National Assembly on 2
November 2017 REVENUE In the mid-term budget speech, the Minister announced an increase in revenue expectations for the current, 2017/18 financial year of approximately N$300 million, however noted the expectation for reduced revenues, relative to previous forecasts, in the 2018/19 (N$575 million reduction) and 2019/20 (N$1015 million reduction) financial years. EXPENDITURE “This spending trajectory provides for about N$5.4 billion additional spending to the current MTEF ceilings as means of implementation of the proposed intervention measures.”
Minister of Finance, Mid-Year Budget Review, November 2017
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https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/na/Documents/tax/na-Namibia-Mid-Term-BudgetReview-2-November-2017.pdf
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
TAX The tax arear recovery programme will continue until 31 March 2018 and is expected to continue to enhance the recovery of outstanding taxes. “As the economic recovery takes shape, it is not my intention to increase general tax rates. But we intend to bring all potential taxpayers in the tax net and achieve full compliance. This is to allow for economic agents to produce and invest, while creating incentive to work and promoting equity and fairness of the tax system.” Minister of Finance, Mid-Year Budget Review, November 2017 DEFICIT, DEBT AND FUNDING The deficit forecast for 2018/19 has been revised lower, from -2.4% to 4.2%. Similarly, the deficit for 2019/20 has been revised lower, from -1% to -2.9%. Due to the persistent budget deficits over the next three years, debt levels are to continue to rise. The major fiscal slippage seen in the current budget, however, means that the debt levels of the country will rise faster than previously expected. Thus, over the next three years, debt levels are expected to expand by N$19.8 billion, from N$67.8 billion, to N$87.6 billion. This is an upward revision of 16.5%, or N$12.4 billion over the March budget expectations.
Namibia’s economy to enter negative territory in 2017 – IMF5
T
he International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Namibia’s economic growth to be in negative
territory in 2017, compared to a growth of 1.1% in 2016, as mining firms plan no new construction and government cuts spending. The local economy entered into a technical recession after it contracted by 1.7% in both the first and second quarter this year. In August 2017, Moody's cut Namibia's sovereign credit rating "junk", citing a negative growth outlook and large fiscal deficits. The IMF said growth is expected to resume in 2018 and accelerate thereafter to about 4% as production from new mines ramps up and manufacturing and retail activities recover. Downside risks include volatile revenue from the Southern African Customs Union and subdued commodity prices, it said. It added that strengthening revenue administration, improving budget formulation, expenditure control and carefully managing public enterprises were some of the critical steps to shore up the economy.
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http://www.observer.com.na/index.php/national/item/9158-namibia-s-economy-to-enter-negativeterritory-in-2017-imf
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
A glimpse of the future 3D printed solar energy-harvesting trees6
S
ome scientists at the VTT Technical Research
Centre of Finland have developed a prototype for a 3D printed tree that uses its surroundings to harvest solar energy. The tree, which can be placed either indoors or outdoors to harvest energy, stores the electricity internally until it is ready to be used. While the current iteration won’t be able to power large structures such as homes, it is currently able to power small devices including smartphones, humidifiers, thermometers and LED lightbulbs, among other household appliances and gadgets. The flexible and patterned solar cells that make up the “leaves” of the tree are made using an undisclosed printing technology developed by researchers at VTT. The connected leaves within the tree create a unified electronic system that feeds the harvested solar energy into a converter before it is able to be used to power small devices. In addition to harvesting solar energy, the leaves are also capable of harvesting kinetic (moving) energy from a surrounding environment such as wind. In order to support the “leaves” of the tree, the VTT researchers developed a tree-like structure that was 3D printed using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and a wood-based biomaterial filament which is made up of environmentally-friendly material of choice for the sustainability. These researchers call this system “energy harvesting trees”. The future scope of the project is not clear but, VTT hopes that their research creates more opportunities for new sustainable powering techniques and perhaps, even develop larger-scale trees to power larger structures and homes.
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https://www.3ders.org/articles/20150218-3d-printed-solar-energy-harvesting-tree-can-chargesmartphones.html
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Oil and Gas
Hydro-carbons a potential game-changer for growth and transformation7
W
ith the latest iteration of South Africa’s Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act
expected to be completed by the end of 2017 and the Integrated Energy Resource Plan nearing completion, Namibia’s largest trading partner is set to leverage its largely unexplored and underdeveloped oil and gas sector to reignite growth able to drive broad and inclusive participation across its entire economy and arguably that of the region. The Head, Oil and Gas South Africa for Standard Bank said that “Draft policy analysis, especially how government intends to structure hydro-carbons investment to support transformation, holds the potential to successfully unlock growth while deepening participation across the entire economy”
Mines Minister meets with Kudu and NamDeb to iron out pipeline challenges 8
M
ines Minister met with Kudu and NamDeb representatives to iron out pipeline challenges.
They concluded that redirecting the Kudu Gas pipeline route could increase the projected design and construction cost of the Kudu Gas Development Project.
Uranium Foibe Namene appointed as Rössing Uranium board chairperson9
R
össing Uranium Limited has appointed Foibe Louise Namene as the new chairperson to the board
of directors, effective from December 1. Namene has been a member of the Rössing board since March 2016 and also serves as a director on various company boards in Namibia. Namene is the chief executive officer of the Electricity Control Board (ECB) and has worked for ECB since joining as chief legal advisor in 1996.
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https://www.newera.com.na/2017/11/27/hydro-carbons-a-potential-game-changer-for-growth-andtransformation/ 8 https://www.nbc.na/pipeline-challenges 9 https://www.newera.com.na/2017/12/04/foibe-namene-appointed-as-rossing-uranium-board-chairperson/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Electricity
Namibia and electricity security10
T
he performance audit report on the capacity of electricity generation and imports in Namibia
within the Ministry of Mines and Energy for the years 2013 to 2016, was submitted to National Assembly in November 2017. It stated that the current electricity generation in the country does not meet the current electricity demand, neither will it meet the future electricity demand, hence Namibia has no security of electricity supply for now. Other 2017 reports earlier indicated that government spends at least N$2.6 billion to import electricity annually. The high cost of electricity imports has been blamed for Namibia's high trade imbalance which has seen imports exceeding exports by close to N$26 billion. This includes government's plans to construct a Kudu Gas project and several plans to improve renewable electricity resources such as the Baynes Hydro Power Plant which is “still in the planning process�.
NamPower monopoly?11
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resently, the single-buyer model that allows only NamPower to sell electricity to regional electricity
distributors, mines and large transmission users is being reviewed. Changes to the single-buyer model were first announced by Mines and Energy Minister Hon. Obeth Kandjoze during the Invest in Namibia International Conference that was held in 2016. Mines and Energy Permanent Secretary reported that a study had been commissioned to establish an appropriate framework that would allow independent power producers to participate in generation activities. According to him, the review process entails a review of the current market model and the development of market rules for likely participants in the power generation sector. The review was also being done with the buy-in of prospective power producers.
PPPs expected to drive power generation projects12
T
he Private Public Partnership (PPP) conference held in Windhoek in November 2017 revealed that
Namibia will have to invest at least six percent of its GDP into power generation infrastructure to reach international benchmark levels. According the PPP division head in the Ministry of Finance, Public Private Partnerships are expected to provide the majority of the investments in the National Integrated Resource Plan, which envisages the development of 590 MW of generating capacity.
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https://www.namibian.com.na/62271/read/Namibia-does-not-have-electricity-security https://www.namibiansun.com/news/end-of-nampower-monopoly-nears2017-12-12/ 12 http://www.observer.com.na/index.php/business/item/9040-ppps-expected-to-drive-power-generationprojects
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Windhoek prepaid electricity services13
T
he City of Windhoek has approved the conversion of post-paid electricity to prepaid electricity
meters for all pensioners. Mayor Muesee Kazapua made the announcement at an early Christmas lunch for senior citizens on 8 December 2017. He said the much-anticipated approval was done on 25 November after pensioners complained about the unaffordable costs of water and electricity services. This comes after the mayor had announced in May this year that pensioners' and vulnerable residents' debt for municipal services had accumulated to approximately N$12.8 million since 2013.
Namibia Power Supply stable14
T
he economic adviser in the Office of the Presidency, John Steytler affirmed that there has been no
load-shedding since the start of Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP). Speaking at the year-in-review media conference at State House, Steytler said local electricity generating capacity increased with 55 megawatts due to the hydroelectric supply from Ruacana. He noted that much of the generating capacity of 332 megawatts is linked to the hydro supply from Ruacana that is dependent on seasonal flow from the Kunene River. He further emphasised that good progress is being made with the electrification of all schools and health facilities by 2020 and that rural electrification rate will increase from 34% in 2015 to 50% by 2020.
Electricity Control Board conducts national electricity tariff study 15
T
he Electricity Control Board is conducting a National Electricity Tariff Study aimed at soliciting
information, to gain industry, and challenges with regards to the use and costing of electricity.
Electricity connections for Windhoek's informal settlement on the cards16
W
indhoek's informal settlement residents, who live near the city's newly constructed electricity
sub-stations, will have individual electricity connections before the end of this financial year, which is March next year.
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https://www.namibian.com.na/62442/read/Windhoek-pensioners-to-get-prepaid-electricity-services https://www.namibiansun.com/news/no-loading-shedding-under-harambee2017-12-18 15 https://www.nbc.na/news/electricity-control-board-conducts-national-electricity-tariff-study.15680 16 https://www.nbc.na/news/electricity-connections-windhoeks-informal-settlement-cards.15668
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Approved Electricity Tariffs (2017) Area Provider
Tariff Schedule (Web Link)
CENORED
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/CENORED_2017.pdf
City of Windhoek Erongo RED
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/COW_2017.pdf http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/Erongo_RED_2017.pdf
Keetmanshoop http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/Keetmanshoop_2017.pdf Mariental
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/Mariental_2017.pdf
Nampower
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/NamPower_2017.pdf
NamPower Transmission NamPower TOU
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/NamPower_Transmission_2017.pdf
NORED
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/Nored_2017.pdf
OPE
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/OPE_2017.pdf
Regenstein
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/Regenstein_2017.pdf
SunGate
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/SunGate_2017.pdf
http://www.ecb.org.na/images/docs/Tariffs/2018/NP_TOU_TARIFFS_2017.pdf
Net Metering
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The original can be found at http://www.ecb.org.na//images/docs/Tariffs/documents/Net_Metering_Avoided_Cost_1617.pdf
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Renewable Energy
Money crisis delays Baynes project17
M
NamPower can avoid buying imported power during peak hours.
inister of Mines and Energy, the
Honourable Obeth Kandjoze said in November that all arrangements between Angola and Namibia with regards to the Baynes project remain in place. The two governments have for long intended to build the hydropower plant and dam downstream of the Epupa Falls at Baynes along the Kunene River however, the project was delayed by the recent economic crisis. The power project is expected to produce about 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The Baynes hydropower project is strategically important to both countries in tackling power supply deficits. Like the Ruacana power station, the new dam will function as a mid-merit peaking station so that national bulk electricity supplier
Oshana school learners to benefit from household solar power project18
T
he Oshana Governor, the Honourable
Clemens Kashuupulwa, has tasked each of his 11 regional councillors to identify two poor homesteads in their respective constituencies to benefit from his poor household solar power project. Kashuupulwa said his governor's trust fund had secured N$500 000.00 for solar energy for the rural community in his region. He said school-going children must form part of the identified households as the project is aimed at assisting these children by providing them with light to enable them to study more effectively.
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https://www.namibian.com.na/62126/read/Money-crisis-delays-Baynes-project https://www.namibiansun.com/news/better-days-for-oshanas-youth2017-12-05/
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Figure 1 CREDITS: https://www.smartenergy.com/
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December 2017
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Water
Water debts19
T
he Ondangwa Town Council has issued a letter, warning defaulting residents that it will suspend
water supply for arrear accounts that have not been paid in the last 30 days. The City of Windhoek had also warned clients that it will disconnect services to residents with accounts that are 30 days or more in arrears as from December 15.
Neckertal dam’s delay20 Billed to be completed in December 2017, the delivery of the massive Neckertal Dam near Keetmanshoop has been delayed by six months.
A
t least N$1.3 billion will be defrayed from the Infrastructure Development Fund during the
2017/18 financial year for the Neckertal Dam project. This is according to Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa, who said if all goes according to plan the Neckertal Dam will be completed during the first half of 2018. The ministry allocated N$155 million from its development budget and NamWater advanced N$600 million guaranteed by the government. The agriculture ministry also said in October that the cost of building the dam had escalated from N$3.2 billion to N$5.7 billion due to delays. Construction work on the dam started in September 2013, but once complete, Neckertal will be three times the size of Hardap Dam, while its dam wall will be three stories high. Neckertal forms part of the Ministry of Water, Agriculture and Forestry's Master Water Plan.
Farmers water shortage21
C
rop farmers at the Olushandja Dam in the Omusati Region have been forced to shut down their
operations, due to a chronic water shortage. NamWater pumps water from the backup at Olushandja to supply its Oshakati purification plant whenever it experiences supply shortages from the Calueque Dam in Angola. According to NamWater spokesperson, the 17km long and 2km wide Olushandja Dam, where farmers draw water from, serves as reservoir to store water for emergency usage. The farmers supply their produce to the Agro-Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA) at the Ongwediva Fresh Produce hub and the Olushandja Horticultural Marketing Centre at Epalela.
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https://www.newera.com.na/2017/12/05/ondangwa-residents-face-water-cut-off-over-debts/ https://www.namibiansun.com/news/millions-more-for-neckartal2017-12-18/ 21 https://www.namibiansun.com/news/farmers-pushed-to-the-brink2017-12-18/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Telecommunications
ICT Competitive Index Ratings improve22
I
n the second quarter of 2017, Namibia
ranked 16th among African countries and 4th in Southern African Development Community (SADC) in terms of offering cheapest voice and SMS products, according to the country’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRAN). CRAN’s annual Telecommunications Sector Performance Review, commonly known as the Market Report provides an overview of telecommunications operators’ financials, prices and products; compare customers, assets and infrastructure in the telecommunications and broadcasting industries.
The migration to higher speeds took place in a phased approach that started in November 27. Chief commercial officer at Telecom Namibia said that this new initiative is a step further in ensuring that Namibia progresses at faster speeds and creates opportunities for Namibians to make economic gains using ICT services. Due to the technology limitations, customers on the wireless WiMAX FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) technology will not benefit from speed upgrades beyond 2 Mbps, but will enjoy lower prices. Telecom Namibia is in the process of deploying Time Division - Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) networks to overcome the current WiMAX FDD limitations.
100% 3G roll-out starts24
T
Telecom to upgrade broadband for free23
D
elecom Namibia says it is upgrading the
settlements in rural towns became a reality when Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC) commissioned its Kaibasen tower in Oshetu 1, the crowded settlement on the outskirts of Nau Aib, a suburb in Okahandja.
speeds of its Speedlink broadband products free of charge. The company is also introducing a minimum download speed of 1 Megabit per second (Mbps) as entry-level package nationwide, totally doing away with the 512 kbps package. Customers with a 10 Mbps Speedlink broadband package will not be upgraded but will receive a price reduction since they are already at the threshold of the package ranges.
igital mobile connections to informal
The Kaibasen site is the first base station in MTC’s billion dollar undertaking to provide Namibia with 100% digital cover with 3G connectivity. The network expansion project is called 081Every1.
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https://economist.com.na/30806/technology/ict-competitive-index-ratings-improve/ https://www.namibiansun.com/news/speedlink-broadband-to-be-upgraded-for-free2017-11-28/ 24 https://economist.com.na/30922/technology/100-3g-roll-out-starts-with-informal-settlement-nearokahandja/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA By 2019, MTC’s intention to have another 524 sites.
T
Cyber security ministry proposed26
S
WAPO Party members proposed the
his improvement will provide 3G networks
to all rural areas which previously only had 2G bandwidth. The GSM Association estimates that by 2022 there will be over one billion Africans enjoying the convenience of 3G and 4G LTE connectivity.
Southern campus launches innovation hub25
T
December 2017
creation of a Cyber security ministry to “control information” on social media during their 2017 congress. The proposed ministry would also be tasked with tackling cyber-crime, including hacking and monitoring illicit [financial] flows. The establishment of the cyber security ministry is one of the many resolutions to be finalised at an extraordinary congress in 2018, along with the proposed amendments to SWAPO party's constitution.
he University of Namibia southern campus
launched the much-anticipated //Kharas Innovation Hub (KIH) at Keetmanshoop in November 2017, which focused on Geosciences Technology Transfer Lab, Start-Up Entrepreneurship and Value Chain Acceleration in the South. The KIH’s purpose, amongst others, is to accelerate enterprise development around key signature value chains, such as agribusiness, logistics and mining, with a long-term goal of creating sustainable jobs and wealth.
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https://www.newera.com.na/2017/12/01/souther n-campus-launches-innovation-hub/
https://www.namibian.com.na/62075/read/Swap o-eyes-the-creation-of-cyber-security-ministry
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The hub’s other key objectives are to stimulate and advance entrepreneurial culture, create an enabling environment for start-ups and accelerate enterprise development in new and exciting value chains, which can create jobs for Namibians, especially women and youth.
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Environment & Sustainability Productivity required from Farmers27
T
he
agriculture
ministry
has
warned
unproductive resettled farmers that their land could be transferred to those that will produce. The government took action to improve poor productivity on resettlement farms through capacity building and developing skills among resettlement farmers. In a first for Namibia, a strategy and programme to assist resettled and Affirmative Loan Scheme farmers has been created. The strategy is aimed at building the required skills of resettled farmers. These include the beneficiaries of the National Resettlement Programme, Group Resettlement Schemes and the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme.
Although the project to build a dyke was to be implemented within five years from 2013, the CEO of Oshakati, Werner Iita, said the completion is likely to be derailed for a few more years. Council requires close to a billion Namibia dollars to construct three more bridges before the actual construction of the dyke commences. In addition, council has also attempted to raise the sand to prevent water from flowing into the town. Iita said that apart from the construction of the dyke, the town as part of its master plan has plans to deepen the Okatana River, service plots and provide accommodation to residents. Iita said the construction of the storm water channels has over the years reduced flooding at the town. He said the people who are now affected by the floods are those from Oshoopala informal settlement who continuously erect shacks in flood-prone areas as well as those settling illegally at night. However, the CEO said he would continue to save residents from the floods, irrespective of how they settled at the town.
Water project delayed28
T
In 2017, more than 140 residents from Oshoopala location were relocated after their homes were flooded.
he flood mitigation project to minimise the
effect of floods at Oshakati could not be fully implemented as planned.
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https://www.newera.com.na/2017/12/22/sluggish -economy-delays-water-project/
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https://www.namibiansun.com/news/produceor-leave2017-12-08/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
For immediate release Date: 16 November 2017 COMBINED MEDIA RELEASE
OHORONGO & METRECO INVESTIGATES THE VALUE OF TYRE DERIVED FUEL In its quest to replacing up to 80% of imported coal with alternative fuels by 2019, Ohorongo Cement together with a Namibia company, Metallurgical Research and Consulting CC (METRECO) are investigating the use of Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF). If successful, TDF will be the fourth alternative fuel source in the Ohorongo Cement alternative fuel mix. This is after the implementation of wood chips from encroacher bushes, charcoal fines and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). According to Camillo Shalli “The Sargberg plant is equipped to combust TDF with minimal risk to the environment while utilizing the energy reservoir contained in scrap tyres. Aiming to halt the practice of stockpiling, landfilling and uncontrolled tyre burning as a waste disposal method in Namibia, METRECO will collect and process scrap tyres, to produce a TDF product that can be used as a partial substitute for coal. In Ohorongo Cement we have found the ideal partner for this venture.” Used tyres are typically considered waste in Namibia which ends up in backyards and landfills. This has led to many concerns related to pollution and health. That is why METRECO has invested resources and engaged Ohorongo Cement to consider the use of TDF to help protect Namibia’s ecological process and systems against pollution and contamination by tyre waste. The cement factory is equipped with modern systems, which enable the company to use TDF, along with other alternative fuels to fire the kiln which is key process of cement manufacturing. “With gas temperatures of up to 2000 Degree Celsius, the cement manufacturing process guarantees a complete combustion and destruction of all toxic substances resulting in no harmful emission and will not compromise the product quality,” says Hans-Wilhelm Schütte the Managing Director of Ohorongo Cement. The use of TDF has multiple benefits, including less waste to landfills and river beds, employment creation as well as tremendous benefits for the environment as results of reduced fossil CO2 emissions. This can also assist in the reduction of fuel imports which can positively affect Namibia's trade balance. The two companies formerly started this venture in October 2017.
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Several cement plants in Europe are already burning tyres successfully and have demonstrated that the overall environmental impact of using tyres in the fuel mix is reduced when compared with burning coal alone.
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Petrus Elago Member of METRECO and Ohorongo Cement’s Business Development Manager Tobias Konzmann formalized the tyre derived fuel venture on behalf of the two companies.
-EndCONTACT: CAMILLO SHALLI METRECO MANAGING MEMBER Cell: +264813598592 Email: cshalli@gmail.com
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ESTHER MBATHERA (CPRP) OHORONGO CEMENT PR & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Tel: +264 61 389 355 Cell: +264 811 622 253 Email: mbathera.esther@ohorongo-cement.com
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Roads and Transport
RFA and KfW sign loan agreement29
T
he Road Fund Administration (RFA) and Germany's KfW Development Bank have signed a N$482
million loan agreement to finance priority roads projects in Namibia, which are implemented by the Roads Authority. The loan will be fully repaid by the RFA over 10 years. This agreement, according to the RFA, stems from the agreement between the governments of Germany and Namibia on financial cooperation, specifically directed at the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) support programme for road maintenance and rehabilitation. Construction work on this project is envisaged to start during the 2018/19 financial year and planned for completion in the 2020/21 financial year, with the loan repayment expected to commence in 2021. The project, among others, is expected to reduce vehicle operating costs and increase the longevity of the road, create employment for local people and contribute to local and regional trade through transportation of goods and services via the Trans-Kalahari and Kunene highways.
Breweries support road safety30
N
amibia Breweries Limited reaffirmed its commitment and support towards keeping Namibian
national roads safe and accident-free through a sponsorship worth more than N$200 000.
30
https://www.namibian.com.na/62666/read/RFA-and-KfW-sign-loan-agreement https://www.namibiansun.com/news/breweries-support-road-safety2017-12-12/
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The donation included soft drinks and water, equipment such as breathalysers and reflector jackets for police officers manning roadblocks during the festive season, and a monetary donation towards the West Coast Safety Initiative.
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Financing
Solar for Oshana's youth31
T
he Oshana governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa, has tasked each of his 11 regional councillors to
identify two poor homesteads in their respective constituencies to benefit from his poor household solar power project. Kashuupulwa said his governor's trust fund had secured N$500 000 for solar energy for the rural community in his region. He said school-going children must form part of the identified households as the project is aimed at assisting these children by providing them with light to enable them to study more effectively.
AfDB N$2 billion boost to the education and agriculture sectors32
T
he African Development Bank (AfDB) approved loans worth of N$2 billion to finance two projects
namely the Namibian Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project (NAMSIP) and the technical and vocational education (TVET) sector. The agriculture project aims to enhance agricultural productivity in order to reduce annual importation of staple cereal crops, facilitate job creation, and enhance household incomes which will improve the lives of rural people. Meanwhile, the education project is designed to deliver an efficient effective and sustainable Technical, Vocational Education and Training system in Namibia that is aligned with current and future skills needs of the labour market. According to the Bank both projects are aligned to the Bank’s High Five Priorities of Feed Africa, and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. Project is also in line with the NDP5, Harambee Prosperity Plan. Additionally, the NAMSIP is aligned with the Growth at Home Strategy for Industrialization, while the TVET is aligned with the TVET Transformation and Expansion Strategy (2016/2032).
Namibia and Germany sign loan agreement to finance priority roads projects33
T
he Road Fund Administration (RFA) and Germany's KfW Development Bank have signed a N$482
million loan agreement to finance priority roads projects in Namibia, which are implemented by the Roads Authority. The loan will be fully repaid by the RFA over 10 years.
31
https://www.namibiansun.com/news/better-days-for-oshanas-youth2017-12-05/ https://economist.com.na/31121/headlines/african-development-bank-to-injects-n2-billion-to-boosteducation-and-agriculture-sectors/ 33 https://economist.com.na/31527/special-focus/namibia-germany-n450-million-loan-agreement-to-financepriority-roads-projects/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Tenders
NAMPOWER34 ✓ CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE NAMPOWER CORPORATE STRATEGY AND BUSINESS PLAN 2019 - 2023 Bid Number SC/RP/NPWR-01/2018 Bid Type Request for Proposal Closing Date 12 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time ✓ Designing, Testing, Delivering, Installing, and Commissioning of the Generator CTs and VTs for Unit 1, 2 and 3 at Ruacana Power Station Bid Number G/ONB/NPWR-11/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 16 Feb 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time ✓ Supply, Delivery and Offloading of various MV & HV Current Transformers Bid Number G/ONB/NPWR-06/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 26 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time ✓ Supply and Delivery of vehicles and other equipment Bid Number G/ONB/NPWR-02/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 19 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time
✓ Provision of cleaning services at NamPower buildings in Windhoek and Brakwater Bid Number NCS/ONB/NPWR-01/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 09 Feb 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time ✓ Provision of Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Specialist Study for Ruacana Power Station and associated infrastructure
http://www.nampower.com.na
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Bid Number SC/RP/NPWR-02/2018 Bid Type Request for Proposal Closing Date 12 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
✓ Provision of Ecology Specialist studies for the Ruacana Power Station, associated infrastructure and Eha Lodge Bid Number SC/RP/NPWR-03/2018 Bid Type Request for Proposal Closing Date 12 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time ✓ Provision of Ecology Specialist studies for Warmbad Substation and 132kV Transmission line Bid Number SC/RP/NPWR-04/2018 Bid Type Request for Proposal Closing Date 12 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time ✓ Provision of Socio-Economic Specialist studies for Warmbad Substation and 132kV Transmission line Bid Number SC/RP/NPWR-06/2018 Bid Type Request for Proposal Closing Date 12 Jan 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time
✓ Designing, Testing, Delivering, Installing, and Commissioning of the Generator Protection Schemes Upgrade from Electromechanical Relays to Intelligent Electronic Devices for Unit 1, 2 and 3 at Ruacana Power Station Bid Number G/ONB/NPWR-12/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 16 Feb 2018 at 11:00 Namibian Time
✓ Supply, Delivery and Offloading of various MV & HV voltage transformers Bid Number G/ONB/NPWR-07/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 19 Jan 2018 at 12:00 Namibian Time
✓ Supply, Delivery and Offloading of various MV & HV Disconnectors with Support Structures
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Bid Number G/ONB/NPWR-01/2018 Bid Type Open National Bidding Closing Date 19 Jan 2018 at 12:00 Namibian Time
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017 Careers
NAMPOWER35 ✓ Manager: Properties and Security Closing date: 22 Dec 2017 Contact: Position: Telephone: Address:
Aune Luaanda HR: Finance & OMD 061 205 2454 The HR Officer NAMPOWER PO Box 2864 WINDHOEK
Picture Credit:
http://www.nampower.com.na
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https://vacationsonearth.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/namibia-2013-road-trip-from-weavers-rockto-okahandja-003.jpg?w=1038&h=576&crop=1
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
December 2017
Looking Forward to serving you in 2018 and beyond!
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AHEAD