The Bank of Namibia's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the Repo rate by 75 basis points from 4.75% to 5.50%. The Bank's Deputy Governor Ebson Uanguta made this announcement in the capital, this morning. This comes as South Africa's central bank also hiked the repo rate to 5.5% in July. The decision, which will be implemented over the next two months, is meant to safeguard the fixed exchange rate between the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand, anchoring the inflation expectations and meeting the country's international financial obligations.

The SADC Council of Ministers meeting started today in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead of the SADC Heads of State and Government meeting which will take place on 17-18 August 2022. The DRC's Minister of Regional Integration and Francophonie Didier Mazenga Mukanzu took over the Chairship of the SADC Council of Ministers from Nancy Gladys Tembo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi.

The Russia-Ukraine has disrupted the supply of wheat grain and fertiliser to Namibia. Namibia imports about 56%of its wheat and 5% of fertiliser from Russia. The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) says there is a need to look into alternatives for the country to become self-sufficient in those commodities.

The Minister of Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Dr Kalkumbi Shangula says limited budget allocation makes it difficult to complete the renovation of the Katutura Intermediate Hospital. Dr. Shangula who visited the renovation site says there are other health facilities across the country that need renovation as well. This is the third phase of the renovation at the Katutura hospital.

African countries have been urged to allocate more financial resources to health systems to respond to pandemics and strengthen epidemic health systems. The Senior Regional Programme Adviser of UNAIDS Christoforos Mallouris made the call during the Second Joint Level Continental Seminar on the Right To Health and Social Protection in Africa in Windhoek.

A public policy analyst warns that the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections could be marred by protest votes due to unprecedented levels of unemployment, poor service delivery and poverty in the country. Dr. Marius Kudumo, urged political parties fielding candidates, to prepare them with the prerequisite leadership skills, integrity and capacity to change the status quo when they assume public office.

Omusati Regional police has intercepted a total of 390 destitute Angolans from entering Namibia, after attempting to enter the country through illegal entry points.