A monthly wrap-up of News Worth Knowing

Namibia records over 500k cyber threats in 3 months

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) says the Namibia Computer Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) detected a combined total of 540,786 weaknesses in a digital system, software, or network configuration that can be targeted by cyberattackers and events between January and March 2025.

According to CRAN’s cybersecurity report, this marks a 15.58% decrease from the previous quarter. Despite the drop, the vulnerabilities remain a significant concern, with Open CWMP, a protocol used for remote management of devices, accounting for the majority.

NAM-CSIRT also documented several sophisticated cyberattacks during the quarter, including AI-driven deepfakes, social engineering fraud, and targeted attacks on critical infrastructure. These incidents exploited weaknesses in public trust and organisational cyber hygiene, resulting in financial losses and operational disruptions.

The report urges both public and private institutions to act decisively, restricting public access to device management interfaces, disabling unnecessary services, and enhancing cyber hygiene practices.

Additionally, it calls for widespread cyber-awareness campaigns and the strengthening of national digital resilience to meet the demands of an increasingly threatening environment.

N$150 million healthcare facilities planned for Northern Namibia

The Namibian Oncology Centre North (NOC North) and Medical Imaging plan to invest a combined N$150 million in two new private healthcare centres to be built in Ongwediva.

“We’re bringing services closer to people who currently have to travel more than 600 kilometres to Windhoek for scans and treatment. Our team of 12 radiologists will support the new centre with the same level of expertise available in our Windhoek and Swakopmund branches,” said Dr Ryan Volker, Partner at Medical Imaging, told The Brief.

“We will offer full oncology care in Ongwediva, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, consultations, and support services. This matches the standard of care at our Windhoek centre,” said Anthea van Wyk, Managing Director of the Namibian Oncology Centre.

Together, the two centres aim to serve over 850,000 people across the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, and Oshikoto regions, as well as patients from neighbouring countries.

Namibia ends N$1.3 billion drought relief programme

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has announced the official end of Namibia’s 2024/2025 drought relief programme, following improved rainfall and better grazing conditions.

Ngurare told the National Assembly that the N$1.3 billion emergency programme, launched under a State of Emergency in May 2024, has been concluded after reaching

384,954 households, an estimated 1.4 million people,across all 14 regions.

“In view of the above-normal rainfall received across the country, it is evident that this year’s harvest was favourable and able to sustain households to the next harvesting season,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted the introduction of a digital system, the Commodity & Beneficiaries Management Information System (CBMIS),to improve food distribution using voucher cards for tracking and transparency.

Trade through Walvis Bay tops N$10 billion in May

Walvis Bay processed more than N$10 billion worth of goods in May 2025, accounting for 56.6% of Namibia’s total outbound trade, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

The International Merchandise Trade Statistics report shows that Walvis Bay recorded exports valued at N$6.5 billion and imports worth N$3.5 billion, making it the busiest port for both entry and exit of goods.

Sea exports through Walvis Bay reached 212,280 tonnes, up 8.9% from April and 80.3% higher than in May 2024. Road exports totalled 164,964 tonnes, a slight monthly decline but a 9.5% increase year-on-year.

Uranium was Namibia’s top export, earning N$3.45 billion. Other major exports through Walvis Bay included refined copper (N$605 million), frozen hake fillets (N$508 million), and distillate fuel (N$492 million).

Imports through the port included machinery parts (HS Code 84.74) worth N$294 million and petrol valued at N$167 million. An unspecified product made up N$17 million or 5% of total imports.

Air transport accounted for 24.9% of export value, driven by non-monetary gold and diamonds.

“Finally, 207 tonnes of goods arrived in the country by air during May 2025, yielding an increase of 39 tonnes and a decrease of 12 tonnes when compared to the tonnes recorded in April 2025 and May 2024, respectively,” the report said.

BoN orders banks to cut gap between repo and lending rates

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has directed all commercial banks to narrow the gap between the repo rate and lending rates by 25 basis points in two stages before the end of the year.

“In my capacity as Acting Governor and under the power vested in the Bank by section 3(1) of the Banking Institutions Act, 2023 (Act No. 13 of 2023), I hereby issue the Notice BIA: 1/2025 – Reduction of the Spread Between the Prime Rate, Mortgage Rate and any other Lending Rate and Repo Rate,” said Bank of Namibia Acting Governor Leonie Dunn.

The reduction, according to the central bank directive, must be executed in two stages: 0.125% by 30 September 2025 and a further 0.125% by 31 December 2025.

Max Rix, Head of Investment at Simonis Storm, said the apex bank’s directive would have a measured impact on the financial sector and the wider economy.

The Bank of Namibia’s move follows calls from Governor Johannes !Gawaxab last month for commercial banks to reduce their prime lending margins to levels consistent with other Common Monetary Area (CMA) countries.

Currently, Namibia’s margin stands at 3.75%, while countries such as South Africa and Lesotho maintain a 3.5% spread between the repo rate and the prime lending rate.