Bank of Namibia

The Bank of Namibia (BON) and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (@NAMFISA) are signed an updated Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen cooperation in the regulation and supervision of Namibia’s financial sector. At the same event, the two regulators will also formalise the Terms of Reference for a joint technical working group to support the responsible development of FinTech in Namibia. The agreement establishes a framework for information sharing, joint supervision, and regulatory oversight of banking institutions, financial institutions, and financial intermediaries. It reflects the shared commitment of both Authorities to safeguard financial stability, promote consumer confidence, and support the orderly development of Namibia’s financial system. It also provides for supervisory information sharing, joint investigations and inspections where concurrent jurisdiction exists, collaboration on financial stability monitoring, consultation on emerging risks and regulatory developments, confidentiality safeguards, and coordination on FinTech and innovation-related matters.

Happy 36th Independence Day, Namibia. 🇳🇦 Namibia’s independence saw the beginning of a new chapter in our nation’s history, defined by sovereignty, self-determination and the building of strong national institutions. Established in that same vein, the Bank of Namibia remains proud to serve the Republic by safeguarding monetary and financial stability in support of the country’s development. #IndependenceDay

Today, the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Mr Uanguta Ebson, participated in Standard Bank Namibia’s 2026 Leadership Conference in Windhoek under the theme, "Keep Growing". In his keynote address, “Reaffirming a Shared National Purpose and Responsibility to Build a Resilient, Inclusive and Prosperous Namibia,” he underscored that Namibia is entering a new phase of structural transformation. Beyond its traditional sectors, new engines of growth are taking shape, particularly in oil and gas, green hydrogen, and the broader energy transition. The Governor noted that this is no longer a distant prospect, but a rapidly approaching reality that will reshape Namibia’s economic landscape. He stressed that the true value of this opportunity will not be measured by resource extraction alone, but by the extent to which the country builds local capacity, deepens domestic value chains, and ensures that Namibians participate meaningfully across the ecosystem. In this regard, he called on the financial sector to lead from the front. Commercial banks, he said, must move beyond traditional models and position themselves at the forefront of financing this transformation by supporting local content development, financing Namibian firms across the value chain, and developing innovative, forward-looking financial solutions. He reaffirmed the Bank of Namibia’s commitment to creating an enabling environment through responsive regulation, policy alignment and sustained industry engagement, stressing that Namibia’s financial institutions cannot afford to become spectators in their own industry.

As part of the Bank’s stakeholder engagement strategy, Governor Ebson Uanguta concluded a series of high-level meetings with all licensed commercial banks. During these engagements, he outlined a forward-looking vision for the central bank, one that aligns with the evolving economy shaped by digitisation, the energy sector and emerging industries. Central to this vision is strengthening capacity in core areas and positioning the Bank as a leading knowledge institution. The Governor emphasised that Namibia’s pressing development needs demand a financial sector that is development-driven, agile, and responsive to emerging demands, particularly in fulfilling its critical intermediation role. He further highlighted the importance of deeper collaboration across the sector to effectively meet these expectations. The engagements culminated in a final meeting with the Chairperson of the Bankers Association of Namibia, Dr Ester Kali, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing the sector’s role in national development.

The Bank of Namibia has been named the winner of the Artificial Intelligence Initiative by the prestigious Central Banking Awards, in recognition of the Bank’s successful integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools into its day-to-day operations. The Bank was recognised for several flagship initiatives that demonstrate the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in central banking. These include the Non-Performing Loans (NPL) Machine Learning Predictive Analytics Model, which provides forward-looking supervisory insights for the banking sector; an Inflation Nowcasting System, which uses AI models to generate near real-time inflation forecasts in support of monetary policy decisions; and the Regulatory Navigation Tool (RegNav), an AI-powered platform designed to deliver instant regulatory guidance and improve access to financial sector regulatory information.

“An institution that is evolving with purpose.” The Bank of Namibia was pleased to host the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, for an engagement reflecting on innovation, smart regulation and the future of Namibia’s economy. In case you missed it: Rewatch the livestream here: bit.ly/4lGxfXN. Read the media statement here: bit.ly/4rGuWFu. #StakeholderEngagement

The Bank of Namibia today hosted the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, for an official visit and staff engagement. The visit, marking the Prime Minister’s first official engagement with the Bank, provided a strategic platform to engage leadership and staff on the institution’s mandate, evolving priorities, and its role in supporting Namibia’s economic transformation agenda. During the engagement, the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Mr Ebson Uanguta, outlined the Bank’s core mandate of promoting monetary and financial stability, while highlighting its forward-looking vision of aligning the central bank to the demands of a new and increasingly digital economy. Key national initiatives were also highlighted, including the development of the Instant Payment Platform (IPP) currently underway and expected to significantly enhance access to fast, affordable, and secure financial services, as well as the advancement of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to support a modern, inclusive economy.  These initiatives are central to improving service delivery, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling greater participation of households, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in the economy.

The Governor, Mr Ebson Uanguta met the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for a briefing on the state of the economy as part of the Bank’s stakeholder engagement programme. The discussions focused on Namibia’s economic outlook, inflation and fiscal developments. The Governor informed the President that while inflation has eased and the cost of capital in the country is relatively cheaper than a year ago, the situation in the Middle-east presents an upside risk with oil prices hovering above USD 100 per barrel. If the situation is prolonged the Governor cautioned that this could introduce inflationary pressures in the country, something the central bank will need to monitor closely. The briefing also covered key national initiatives expected to shape the country’s future, including Instant Payment Project (IPP), Digital Payment Infrastructure (DPI) and gold acquisition within the ambit of the central bank. The President called on the Bank to remain alert and responsive to domestic and global developments. The President informed the Bank that the Government had prioritised cybersecurity laws to protect consumers and safeguard the digital economy, and urged the Bank to continue with measures aimed at promoting financial stability in light of increased cyber-related threats. The Governor was accompanied by Deputy Governor, Ms Leonie Dunn and Mr. Kazembire Zemburuka, Director: Strategic Communications and International Relations. (@NamPresidency)

🚨 Fraud Alert The Bank of Namibia cautions the public against a fraudulent article circulating online. A fake website is impersonating a legitimate media outlet and unlawfully using the likeness of Deputy Governor Leonie Dunn to falsely attribute endorsement and promote a fraudulent investment scheme. 👉 The Deputy Governor and the Bank of Namibia do not endorse or solicit investments of any kind. 👉 This scheme is illegitimate – do not click links, share personal information, or transfer money. For verification, always use the Bank’s official website and social media channels. Report suspected fraud to: 📧 illegalschemes@bon.com.na +264612835111

Join us for a high-level engagement with Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia. This conversation offers a timely perspective on Government’s priority areas and the importance of building collective institutional support to accelerate inclusive economic participation. 🗓 Wednesday, 18 March 2026 ⏰ 11:00 – 12:00 🎥 Watch it LIVE across our platforms. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear directly from the Right Honourable Prime Minister. #LiveDialogue

Have you ever wondered who to speak to when something about a digital financial service doesn’t quite make sense to you? We’re working on a simpler way to help consumers find the right place to start. Stay tuned. #WatchThisSpace #ConsumerConnect

Have you ever wondered who to speak to when something about a digital financial service doesn’t quite make sense to you? We’re working on a simpler way to help consumers find the right place to start. Stay tuned. #WatchThisSpace #ConsumerConnect

At this year’s Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) Annual Plenary in Pretoria, which attracted 180 central banks and supervisory representatives from 76 countries, an important discussion centred on how the Network is evolving to remain effective amid a changing global risk environment. As of 1 January 2026, the community now benefits from the support of four (4) regional groups (Africa, Americas, Asia-Oceania and Europe). This reform is intended to ensure that the NGFS remains agile while bring the Network’s global work closer to regional realities, particularly as participation from emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) continues to expand. During the Plenary, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Leonie Dunn, facilitated the Africa Regional Session, where African central banks and supervisors shared perspectives on the priorities that should guide the region’s 2026–2028 work cycle. The discussions focused on identifying near-term areas of cooperation including strengthening capacity, improving climate-related data and supporting implementation across jurisdictions, while recognising that institutions across the region are progressing at different stages in integrating climate considerations into their financial sector frameworks. The reflection below captures her perspective from that discussion. #NGFSAnnualPlenary #AfricaRegionalGroup

The Bank of Namibia officially kicked off Global Money Week under the theme Smart Money Talks, an initiative that brings together governments from around the world to address the growing global concern of limited financial knowledge in an increasingly complex financial system. In her opening remarks, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Ms Leonnie Dunn, highlighted the Bank's commitment to invest in cybersecurity resilience and digital capability and the importance of bridging the gap between digital access and understanding. At the official opening in Swakopmund, the Bank of Namibia in partnership with the Financial Literacy Initiative launched the Digital Financial Literacy Booklet. The booklet serves as a practical guide for the evolving financial landscape, with tools designed for learners, entrepreneurs, and every citizen navigating the digital world with confidence.

3 days to go until Global Money Week 2026 in Swakopmund. The Bank of Namibia, together with the Swakopmund Municipality and the Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI), will take part in this global campaign to promote smart financial decision-making and strengthen public understanding of the financial system. This year’s programme will also feature the launch of the Digital Financial Literacy Manual, alongside interactive engagements on digital payments, consumer protection and the Bank’s mandate. We look forward to engaging with youth, entrepreneurs and the broader community in the Erongo Region. #GlobalMoneyWeek2026

The Bank of Namibia hosted the member states of the Common Monetary Area (CMA), Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, for the first quarterly meeting of the CMA Governors this year. The meeting considered heightened geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, and the potential implications for the CMA region, particularly for inflation, economic growth, financial conditions, and financial stability. The Governors also exchanged views on emerging cross-cutting issues shaping the future of central banking, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on central bank mandates, cross-border payments and exchange control matters, as well as ESG readiness and capacity building across the region. In a rapidly evolving global environment, continued cooperation among CMA Member States remains essential to safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability in the region.

The Bank of Namibia participated in the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) Annual Plenary, where central banks and supervisors met to discuss how climate and nature-related developments are affecting economies, financial systems and financial stability. The Plenary also provides a platform for members to reflect on progress and set the Network’s priorities and work agenda for the year ahead. Through the NGFS, central banks work together to strengthen their understanding of climate-related financial risks. The Network develops practical tools such as climate scenarios, supervisory guidance and analytical frameworks, and provides a space for members to exchange experience on issues such as climate data, adaptation and financial sector resilience. The Bank shared some of the progress Namibia has made in this area, including the issuance of the Guidelines on Climate-Related Financial Risks and Disclosure Requirements to banking institutions and the establishment of the Namibia Sustainable Finance Alliance, which brings together regulators, financial institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination across the financial sector. Leonie Dunn, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, facilitated discussions on priorities for the newly established NGFS African Regional Group, with a focus on capacity building, data and supervisory practice. She also moderated a panel examining the interaction between global trade dynamics and climate-related risks. The Bank of Namibia values the continued exchange within the NGFS and the opportunity to learn from peers as central banks deepen their understanding of these emerging risks.

The Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Mr Ebson Uanguta accompanied by the Bank’s senior management team, received a courtesy visit from MTC Maris, the mobile financial services subsidiary of MTC. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the regulator and industry, with discussions covering progress on the Instant Payment Programme (IPP), opportunities to expand digital financial services, and the role of mobile technology in advancing financial inclusion in Namibia. With mobile networks reaching the majority of the population, digital platforms present a significant opportunity to bring more Namibians into the formal financial system. The Bank of Namibia welcomed the engagement and reiterated the importance of continued dialogue with industry stakeholders as Namibia works to build a secure, innovative, and inclusive digital financial ecosystem.