Namibia in 2026: Stability Is Not the Same as Progress

As we move into 2026, Namibia is once again being told that things are “looking better”. Growth projections are positive. Political stability is intact. Big projects are being announced. But for many ordinary Namibians, the question remains a simple one:

Is life actually getting better?

To answer that, it helps to step back and look at the bigger picture — not from a boardroom or policy document, but from the street. Using a PEST lens (Political, Economic, Social and Technological), here is what 2026 is likely to look like for Namibia.

Politics: Stable, Yes — But People Are Watching Closely

Namibia prides itself on political stability, and rightly so. We are not a country of coups or chaos. But stability alone no longer buys automatic trust. In 2026, citizens are far less impressed by speeches and far more interested in delivery. The public mood has shifted. People are asking harder questions:

• Why is unemployment still so high?

• Why do services keep deteriorating while costs keep rising?

• Why does accountability feel selective?

The political environment remains calm, but it is no longer comfortable. Social media, independent voices and everyday conversations are increasingly shaping public opinion — not party structures.

Prediction:

In 2026, government will remain stable, but legitimacy will increasingly depend on results, not history. Those who confuse silence with satisfaction will misread the moment.

Economy: Growth on Paper, Pressure at Home

Yes, the economy is expected to grow in 2026. Mining, hydrocarbons, energy projects and agriculture will likely improve headline figures. That is the good news.

The bad news is that many households will not feel it.

Food prices remain high. Debt is suffocating families. Wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. SMEs are struggling to survive, while consumers are cutting back on essentials.

Namibia’s economy still depends heavily on a few sectors and external markets. When global prices dip, ordinary Namibians pay the price — even when we are told the economy is “recovering”.

Prediction:

2026 will deliver economic recovery without economic relief for many citizens. Unless diversification becomes real — not just a policy slogan — inequality will deepen and frustration will grow.

Society: A Young Country That Cannot Afford to Waste Time

Namibia is a young country. Most of our people are under 35. That should be our biggest advantage. Instead, it is becoming our biggest risk.

Free access to education is a powerful step, but education without jobs creates disappointment, not empowerment. Graduates are entering a market that cannot absorb them. Informal work is expanding, not because people choose it, but because they must survive.

Urban areas continue to grow faster than services can keep up. Housing, transport, healthcare and basic dignity remain out of reach for many.

Prediction:

In 2026, social pressure will increase — quietly at first, then more openly. Young Namibians are not apathetic; they are waiting. And waiting has limits.

Technology: Coming Whether We Are Ready or Not

Technology is no longer optional. It is already shaping how Namibians bank, shop, work and organise. AI, automation and digital platforms will not ask whether Namibia is prepared. They will simply arrive. The danger is not technology itself — it is exclusion.

If connectivity remains expensive, skills training limited, and policy reactive, technology will widen inequality instead of closing it. Hopefully the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) will give Starlink the go-ahead for it to supply high speed internet services to unserviced areas in Namibia.

Prediction:

By the end of 2026, technology will touch more lives — but without a serious digital skills and access strategy, Namibia will remain a consumer of innovation, not a creator of opportunity.

So What Does 2026 Really Look Like?

Namibia in 2026 will likely be:

• Politically calm, but under sharper scrutiny

• Economically growing, but unevenly experienced

• Socially restless, especially among the youth

• Technologically exposed, but underprepared

This is not a doomsday forecast. It is a warning and an opportunity.

The real danger is not instability — it is complacency.

The real opportunity is not growth — it is inclusion.

If 2026 is to mean something for ordinary Namibians, then policy must finally meet reality, and leadership must listen more than it speaks.

Because stability without progress is simply standing still; and standing still is something Namibia can no longer afford.

How Torn Covers and Free Floppy Disks Started My ICT Journey

When I was a kid in Johannesburg, my grandma worked for CNA — Central News Agency. They were the big company that brought overseas magazines into South Africa. Imagine shelves stacked with glossy covers of Mad, PC World, or National Geographic, all wrapped in shiny plastic.

Now here’s the quirky part: when magazines didn’t sell, the shop didn’t send the whole thing back. Nope. They just tore off the front cover — literally ripping the face off the magazine — and sent that back to CNA. The rest of the magazine, sometimes with cool freebies inside, was left behind for the store to throw away.

To most people, that was trash. To me, it was treasure.

Fast forward to 1985 in Windhoek. I remembered the trick. One day, I explained it to an older shop assistant: “You know, they only count the covers. The rest doesn’t matter.” She smiled, and from then on, she kept the whole magazine for me — plus the floppy disks that sometimes came tucked inside.

Think about it: you’re 15 years old, and suddenly you’ve got a stack of magazines full of stories, games, and tech tips, plus floppy disks that could actually run programs on a computer. It felt like finding cheat codes in real life.

That’s how my ICT journey began. Not with fancy new computers or expensive lessons, but with a quirky loophole in the system. I was “hacking” before I even knew what hacking meant — not breaking rules, just spotting the gaps and using them to learn.

Looking back, I realize those torn covers were more than scraps of paper. They were tickets into a world of technology, curiosity, and discovery. And all because CNA had a system that cared about covers, not content.

Namibia’s New Credit Bill: What Happens When Debt Counselling Disappears?

 📌 Introduction

Namibia’s long-awaited Consumer Credit Bill (CCB) is finally here. Marketed as a modern framework to regulate lending and protect consumers, the Bill has sparked heated debate. While it introduces stronger oversight of debt collectors and tighter rules on credit agreements, it has removed two critical safeguards: debt counselling and prescription. 

These omissions could reshape the financial landscape for ordinary Namibians—especially those already struggling with debt. 

⚖️ What Changed?

• Debt Counselling Removed: 

Previous drafts included mechanisms for debt counselling, similar to South Africa’s National Credit Act. Counselling offered structured repayment plans and protection against reckless lending. Its removal means consumers now face creditors without formal mediation or rehabilitation pathways. 

🔍 Why It Matters

- For Consumers:

• No structured relief for over-indebted households. 

• Risk of perpetual debt cycles, with no legal “expiry date.” 

• Increased vulnerability to aggressive debt collection practices. 

- For Lenders:

• Greater power to enforce repayment indefinitely. 

• Reduced incentive to lend responsibly, since debts never expire. 

- For Namibia’s Economy:

• Short-term: stronger creditor confidence. 

• Long-term: potential rise in poverty, reduced consumer spending, and weakened trust in financial institutions. 

🗣️ Commentary 

The removal of debt counselling and prescription is a step backward for consumer rights. While the Bill strengthens regulation of debt collectors, it leaves ordinary Namibians exposed to lifelong debt obligations without formal support systems. 

Advocates argue that Namibia should align with international best practices, where debt counselling and prescription are seen as essential to balancing fairness in credit markets. Without them, the risk is clear: credit becomes a trap, not a tool for empowerment.

✍️ Closing Thought 

This Bill is more than a technical reform—it’s a statement about whose interests matter most in Namibia’s financial system. As the debate unfolds, the question remains: Will Namibia protect its consumers, or leave them to face creditors alone?

🌍 Depression in Namibia and a New Ray of Hope from Flow Neuroscience

Depression is often called the “silent illness,” but in Namibia its impact is loud and devastating. With rising cases and one of the highest suicide rates in Africa, the need for effective, accessible treatment has never been greater. A new innovation from Flow Neuroscience—an at-home brain stimulation headset—may offer hope for thousands of Namibians struggling with depression.

📊 The Reality of Depression in Namibia

• Between 2019 and 2021, Namibia recorded 256,486 patients with mental illness seen by professionals.
• In 2024 alone, over 102,900 mental health cases were reported, alongside 542 suicides.
• Namibia’s suicide rate stands at 9.7 per 100,000 people, among the highest in Africa.
• Experts estimate that nearly 520,000 Namibians live with some form of mental illness.

These numbers reflect not just statistics, but families and communities grappling with loss, stigma, and limited access to care. Rural areas in particular face severe shortages of psychiatrists and psychologists, leaving many without support.

💡 Flow Neuroscience’s Breakthrough

Flow Neuroscience has developed the FL-100 headset, recently cleared by the U.S. FDA for at-home treatment of depression. This device uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a safe, non-invasive method that delivers mild electrical currents to the brain.

How It Works

• Targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region underactive in depression.
• Stimulates neurons to restore balance in mood-regulating pathways.
• Comes with a smartphone app offering behavioral therapy guidance.

Clinical Results

• 77% of users report improvement within 3 weeks.
• 58% achieve remission after 10 weeks.
• Side effects are mild, such as skin irritation or headaches.

🇳🇦 Why This Matters for Namibia

• Accessibility: With limited mental health professionals, a home-based device could bridge the gap.
• Affordability: While U.S. pricing is expected between $500–$800, local partnerships or subsidies could make it viable here.
• Privacy: Stigma around mental illness often prevents people from seeking help. A discreet, at-home solution may encourage treatment.
• Policy relevance: As Namibia debates its Mental Health Bill, integrating innovative tools like Flow could strengthen national health systems.

📝 Final Thoughts

Depression is not just a personal struggle—it is a national health challenge. Namibia’s high suicide rates and rising mental health cases demand urgent action. Flow Neuroscience’s FL-100 headset offers a non-drug, accessible, and evidence-based solution that could complement existing services and empower individuals to take control of their mental health at home.

For Namibia, adopting such innovations could mean fewer lives lost, stronger families, and a healthier, more resilient society. 

Submission on Starlink Licence Application – Namibia Consumer Protection Group

 Dear CRAN Licensing Department,

On behalf of the Namibia Consumer Protection Group (NCPG), I hereby submit our comments regarding the licence application of Starlink, as invited by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).

Introduction

The Namibia Consumer Protection Group is committed to ensuring equitable access to essential services for all Namibians. Connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a prerequisite for safety, education, and economic participation. Farmers and rural communities, in particular, face persistent challenges with unreliable or unaffordable internet services.

Context

Existing service providers have not adequately addressed the needs of rural consumers, leaving large parts of Namibia underserved. Farmers and agricultural organisations have expressed strong support for Starlink’s entry into the Namibian market, citing its potential to provide reliable connectivity where traditional infrastructure has failed.

Benefits of Starlink

We recognise the following consumer benefits:

• Rural Safety: Improved communication to address farm-related crime and enable digital surveillance systems.

• Modern Agriculture: Connectivity for precision farming technologies, automation, and access to online markets.

• Education and Services: Reliable internet for online education in remote areas and access to veterinary and advisory services.

• Consumer Choice: Starlink offers a direct response to years of unreliable or prohibitively expensive services from existing providers, thereby enhancing competition and consumer empowerment.

Ownership and Regulatory Considerations

While regulatory compliance is essential, ownership requirements must be balanced against the urgent need for rural connectivity. Namibia should consider alternative compliance mechanisms that ensure local participation without delaying service provision. These could include:

• Mandated investment in rural infrastructure and school connectivity.

• Partnerships with Namibian cooperatives, farmer unions, or community organisations.

• Transparent consumer protection frameworks to safeguard affordability and service quality.

Recommendations

We respectfully recommend that CRAN:

1. Grant Starlink a licence subject to clear consumer protection obligations, including affordability and transparency in pricing.

2. Prioritise rural coverage as a licensing condition, ensuring farmers and remote communities are the primary beneficiaries.

3. Encourage community participation in ownership or governance structures, without imposing barriers that delay service provision.

4. Safeguard consumer rights by requiring Starlink to comply with Namibian regulations on data protection, fair competition, and service reliability.

5. Monitor and evaluate impact through CRAN-led reporting mechanisms, ensuring measurable improvements in rural connectivity.

Conclusion

Connectivity is a fundamental consumer right. For Namibia’s farmers, it is a lifeline—supporting safety, modern agricultural practices, education, and access to markets. The Namibia Consumer Protection Group urges CRAN to approve Starlink’s licence application with conditions that protect consumers while enabling rapid deployment of services.

Respectfully submitted,  

Milton Louw  

Director  

Namibia Consumer Protection Group

081 688 1368