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Human Rights in Namibia

In early March 2024, Namibian civil society submitted its report on Namibia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to the UN Human Rights Committee. The report was produced in collaboration with the Centre for Civil and Political Rights based in Geneva. The UN Human Rights Committee, meeting from 4 to […]

The National Budget 2024-25

The 2024-25 National Budget indicated that Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi has successfully steered the country’s public finances through their most challenging period since Independence. Yet, as the Minister admitted, the recovery will not be nearly sufficient to address the country’s high unemployment levels. Creating sustainable employment opportunities remains the central economic challenge facing Namibia.

No Privacy, Guaranteed

The Namibian communications surveillance framework will come into full force on 1 April 2024. This briefing paper argues that the changes underway raise serious human rights concerns around the right to privacy as well as free expression and media freedom. The paper goes on to propose pathways for a course correction.

Namibia’s Foreign Policy on Human Rights

Despite progressive provisions in its Constitution, Namibia’s foreign policy on human rights has been marred by inconsistencies. This paper, co-published with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), provides a timely analysis of Namibia’s track record in upholding human rights in the international community. The paper argues that Namibia’s foreign policy is characterised by […]

SME Financing in Namibia

SMEs are widely understood to be crucial for economic growth and job creation. After the collapse of the SME Bank in 2017, what are the options for support for this vital but often neglected sector of the economy?

The Cost Of Living Crisis

In 2022, the United Nations Development Programme estimated that the global cost of living crisis had pushed over 51 million people into extreme poverty at the US$ 1.90-a-day poverty line with an additional 20 million people falling into poverty at the US$ 3.20-a-day benchmark, bringing the net cumulative figure to 22.7% of the world’s population. […]

2023-24: National Budget Review

With the economy continuing to recover from the blows struck by COVID, revenues are on the rise aided by a N$10 billion increase in the SACU subsidy. In view of the increased fiscal space, cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable were increased. Rising public debt remains a worry. But it does seem that […]

Namibia’s Green Transition

Climate change is likely to have huge implications for Namibia’s society and economy over the short, medium and long term. Namibia will stand a better chance of tackling the challenges caused by climate change if it prepares for them and enacts the right policies and actions at the right time. While Namibia has a well-established […]

Data Protection Bill: Not Fit For Purpose

This review of the proposed Data Protection Bill for Namibia argues that the draft law requires further development to ensure that it meets the requirements of a contemporary data protection framework. The sections on the independence of the Supervisory Authority need to be reconsidered and substantially redrafted, and sections concerning offences, penalties, and administrative penalties […]