In its Oct 22, 2026 mid-year review Namibia cut its revenue outlook on weak mining and raised the budget by about N$700 million (N$87.9bn to N$88.6bn), with public debt projected at N$201.7 billion. Final investment decisions on green hydrogen (Hyphen) and the offshore Venus oil field are delayed, while land and petroleum bills are contested.
Government · leader
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (since Mar 2025) / Vice President Lucia Witbooi / Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare
Key national agenda
- Fiscal health: medium-term revenue and debt management strategies (before Feb 2027)
- Green hydrogen (Hyphen, 24% state stake) and offshore oil (Venus)
- Consolidated land law and a ban on foreign land acquisition
- Moving the upstream petroleum unit to the Presidency (petroleum amendment bill)
- Farm support including foot-and-mouth control and drought preparedness
- Leaner government: ministries cut from 21 to 14
Government programmes
FY2026/27 mid-year budget reviewN$88.6 billion (revised)
Budget raised from N$87.9bn to N$88.6bn (needs Parliament's approval); net revenue N$42.4bn to end-Sep (51.4% of target); review of VAT zero-rating on sugar
Hyphen green hydrogen project
Final investment decision moved to end-2027; up to 15,000 construction and 3,000 permanent jobs forecast
TotalEnergies Venus offshore oil field
Target 160,000 barrels a day; no final investment decision as of late Oct 2026, terms under negotiation
Ruacana South Water Supply Project Phase 1
AfDB-funded Namibia Water Sector Support Programme; bulk pipelines, reservoirs and meter installation works
Ohangwena Aquifer climate-resilient water supply (north)
German KfW/BMZ grant; prequalification of a multidisciplinary consultant (closed Jul 2026)
German development aid agreement
EUR 1.1 billion offered over 30 years; a High Court challenge is ongoing
Business opportunities
Support for the medium-term revenue strategy and automated tax data analytics
The government must deliver a revenue strategy before Feb 2027 and revenue is below target.
Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA)
Public procurement and budget execution monitoring dashboard
Budget execution is lagging and most spending is tied up in operating costs.
Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, regional councils
Matching consulting for local and Korean SMEs to join the green hydrogen supply chain
Hyphen promises large construction jobs and procurement, and the pre-FID period gives time to prepare.
Local SMEs, Korean equipment suppliers
Livestock disease tracking and control management system
Foot-and-mouth control has emerged as a new unbudgeted spending need.
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform
Tenders
- Bulk pipelines, reservoirs and manifold meter installations for Ruacana South Water Supply Phase 1 · Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), AfDB financed · Deadline 2026-11-03
- Call for an external collaborator: local social security actuary · ILO · Deadline 2026-11-03
- Security (guarding) services for Omusati Regional Council · Omusati Regional Council · Deadline 2026-11-04
Korean support schemes
- Korea-Africa AI Hub and K-AI Package · Ministry of Economy and Finance / AfDB — A framework for EDCF-linked AI, data centre and power cooperation; no Namibia-specific project was confirmed.
- KOTRA Southern Africa market entry support · KOTRA — Market research and buyer matching through the covering trade office (the office covering Namibia still needs confirming).
- Export Voucher programme · Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy / Ministry of SMEs and Startups — Vouchers cover market research, certification and local marketing costs to prepare market entry.
Official notices
Namibia Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises
- 2026-10-22 Finance Minister Shafudah tabled the FY2026/27 mid-year review (budget up N$700m, debt seen at N$201.7bn)
- 2026-10-22 Medium-term revenue and debt management strategies promised before Feb 2027
- 2026-10-31 Tax Amnesty Programme scheduled to end
- Bid notices, evaluations and awards published on the ministry's digital procurement system (undated)
Disaster · conflict · epidemic
Stable 2026-10-30
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