AGP Executive Report

Tourism Demand: Namibia’s hospitality sector logged its strongest May performance on record, with national occupancy hitting 62.17% (up from 56.21% last year), as early safari and nature-based demand kicks in. Air Access: Condor will resume Frankfurt–Windhoek flights in summer 2027 with three weekly departures, while Discover Airlines expands Munich–Windhoek to five weekly flights from April 2027—boosting Germany–Namibia seat capacity. Cross-Border Travel: Botswana is expanding the use of national identity cards for nearby travellers, using Namibia–Botswana’s model to ease regional movement. Roads & Travel Costs: The Road Fund Administration rolls out digital self-service tools, including fuel levy refunds and prepaid cross-border charge options, aiming to speed up services for road users. Energy for Tourism: NamPower inaugurates the N$394m Sekelduin Substation to improve power reliability in Erongo, supporting households, mining and the tourism sector. Wildlife & Safety: All 96 Fish River Canyon hikers were rescued after rising water levels blocked exits, with helicopter evacuations completing the operation. Accommodation Boost: Rehoboth Town Council prepares to reopen Reho Spa after renovations, including upgraded bungalows and plans to restore the hot spring attraction. Cruise News: MSC Armonia is set to debut in South Africa in November 2026, offering Indian Ocean cruise departures from Durban and Cape Town.

Power & Tourism Readiness: NamPower has inaugurated the N$394m Sekelduin Substation in Swakopmund, promising steadier electricity for Erongo—good news for hotels, businesses and future tourism-linked demand. Air Access for Visitors: Condor will resume Frankfurt–Windhoek flights in summer 2027 (three weekly), while Discover Airlines boosts Munich–Windhoek to five weekly flights from April 2027—both moves should make Namibia easier to reach for German holidaymakers. Tourism Safety in Action: All 96 Fish River Canyon hikers were rescued after heavy rains and dam releases blocked exits; authorities used a helicopter airlift and reported no injuries. Local Tourism Revival: Rehoboth Town Council is preparing to reopen Reho Spa after 16 years, with renovated pools and bungalows and plans to restore the hot spring attraction. Digital Connectivity for Growth: OneWeb LEO satellite broadband has officially launched in Namibia via Q-KON with Echo Namibia and OCN, aiming to support businesses and underserved schools and clinics.

Fish River Canyon Rescue: Namibia’s police and Namibian Wildlife Resorts evacuated all 96 hikers trapped by rising water after Naute Dam sluice gates and Neckartal Dam spillover, with no injuries reported; the Fish River hiking trail remains temporarily closed and downstream visitors are urged to stay away. Tourism Boost in Rehoboth: Rehoboth Town Council is preparing to reopen the Reho Spa after 16 years, renovating pools and seven bungalows and planning further upgrades to restore the hot spring attraction. New Air Access to Windhoek: Discover Airlines will expand Munich–Windhoek to five weekly flights from April 2027, adding Monday and Thursday services to improve travel options for German visitors. Customer Service at Borders: Namibia Tourism Board training brings together police, immigration and NamRA officials to strengthen first impressions and visitor care at entry points. Glamping Durability Push: STARS GLAMPING says its biomimetic safari tent frames and all-weather fabrics are designed to cut common tent failures and extend lodge-ready lifespan. Sports & Travel Moments: Namibia’s para-triathletes Jerome Rooi and Mateus Angula posted strong results in France, while Kavango West’s Maria Kanyanga won double gold at the Southern African athletics championships in Mauritius. Visa Policy Shift: Namibia ended visa-free entry for the US, UK and 30+ other countries, citing reciprocity—an important heads-up for travellers planning trips.

Fish River Canyon Rescue: After heavy rain and dam releases, all 96 hikers trapped in Fish River Canyon were safely evacuated, with police using a helicopter to airlift 68 and teams working from Hobas and Ai-Ais; no injuries were reported, but the trail remains closed and NamWater warns people to stay out of the canyon. Tourism Access & Service: Namibia Tourism Board customer-care training brought 47 police, immigration and NamRA officials together to improve the first welcome for visitors at borders. Air Connectivity: Discover Airlines will expand Munich–Windhoek to five weekly flights from April 2027, adding Monday and Thursday services to boost options for German travellers. Road Safety for Travellers: District Road 212 in //Kharas was temporarily closed after flooding, with Roads Authority urging detours via Swartkops border post and caution on other affected southern routes. Travel Policy: Namibia ended visa-free entry for the US, UK and 30+ other countries under a reciprocity move that could affect inbound tourism planning. Sustainable Tourism Awards: Namibia’s 2026 Sustainable Development Awards opened nominations (closing 24 July), inviting youth-focused sustainability projects from across the country.

Fish River Canyon rescue: Namibia Wildlife Resorts and Namibian police say all 96 hikers trapped in the Fish River Canyon have been rescued safely after Naute and Neckartal dam releases caused dangerous, fast-rising water levels downstream; the Fish River hiking trail remains temporarily closed and authorities urge the public to stay away until conditions are declared safe. Tourism frontline training: The Namibia Tourism Board is training 47 police, immigration and Namibia Revenue Agency officials in customer care to improve the first impression for visitors at borders, with the programme run in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and facilitated by NUST. Visa reciprocity shift: Namibia has ended visa-free entry for US, UK and more than 30 other countries, citing reciprocity after years of one-way access for Namibians. Tourism & culture in motion: DTS Liqui Fruit Beach Volleyball’s Winter Classic kicked off in Windhoek with close to 40 teams, while Hardap marked World Music Day with performances aimed at boosting youth, entrepreneurship and cultural tourism. Regional ties with a tourism angle: President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Tanzania state visit focused on turning liberation-era links into stronger trade, investment and cooperation, including tourism.

Fish River Canyon Safety Alert: Namibia Wildlife Resorts and Namibian Police are running a rescue for 96 hikers (including schoolchildren) trapped after heavy rain and dam releases; the Fish River hiking trail is temporarily closed until conditions are declared safe. Road Safety Debate in Windhoek: Activist Michael Amushelelo protested newly installed speed humps on the Western Bypass/B1, saying they’re causing congestion and urging safer alternatives like pedestrian bridges. Diplomacy & Tourism Links: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Tanzania state visit keeps spotlighting economic liberation through trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and culture—an angle that matters for cross-border travel planning. Visa Policy Shift: Namibia ended visa-free entry for US, UK and 30+ other countries, a move framed as reciprocity that could affect visitor flows. Namibia’s Global Presence: Namibia says it has 33 diplomatic missions abroad supporting trade, investment and consular services. Culture on the Move: Hardap marked World Music Day with performances and a push for creative industries as drivers for youth, entrepreneurship and cultural tourism. Sports & Travel Interest: Claude Le Roy was named Congo coach for AFCON 2027, with Namibia in the qualifying group—good news for fans planning regional trips.

Namibia–Tanzania Economic Push: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah used her state visit to Tanzania to urge a shift from liberation-era solidarity to economic liberation—jobs, trade and investment—backed by a business forum in Dar es Salaam and new cooperation MoUs. Tourism Safety Alert: Namibia Wildlife Resorts temporarily closed the Fish River Canyon hike after heavy rainfall and rising dam releases in the Naute/Neckartal catchments, warning hikers to stay away until conditions are safe. Road Travel Watch: Windhoek’s B1 speed humps sparked protests by motorists over alleged accident increases, while the ministry said it was not aware of the demonstration. Mobile Services for Drivers: NaTIS on Wheels launched in Omatjete, bringing eye tests, biometric capture, learner licence testing and vehicle licence renewals via a truck costing N$4.2m. Sports Spotlight: Para triathlete Jerome Rooi won bronze in France, moving closer to qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics. Nature & Hiking: A guide-style feature highlights Namibia’s Quiver Tree Forest as a May–September hiking destination. Community & Heritage: Nandi-Ndaitwah visited Tanzania’s Kongwa camp, paying tribute at a memorial for Namibian freedom fighters.

Juneteenth in Ghana: Young students staged a powerful Door of No Return reenactment at Christiansborg Castle as Africa and the US marked Juneteenth outside the US for the first time, closing a reparatory justice conference focused on truth and restorative justice. Namibia–Tanzania economic push: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan urged businesses to turn liberation-era ties into jobs, trade and investment, with focus areas including agriculture, fisheries, tourism, ports/logistics and industrialisation. Fish River Canyon hike closed: Namibia Wildlife Resorts shut the Fish River Canyon Hike due to heavy rainfall and Naute Dam sluice gate releases, with fast-rising river flows expected—visitors are urged to stay away until conditions are declared safe. Windhoek urban pressure debate: A look at Windhoek’s migration-driven strain argues supply hasn’t kept up with demand, leaving informal settlements and housing backlogs to grow. Responsible gambling spotlight: A Windhoek conference tackled the rise of online betting and gambling access, with calls for stronger cooperation and possible law changes. Tourism & access services: NaTIS on Wheels launched in Omatjete, bringing eye testing, learner licence testing and vehicle renewals to underserved communities. Road safety friction: Motorists protested newly installed B1 speed humps, claiming they’re causing accidents and raising risks at night. Etosha Fishing quota update: Cabinet approved a horse mackerel quota for Etosha Fishing to restart operations and ease months of worker layoffs.

Responsible Gambling: Windhoek hosted a Responsible Gambling conference (17–18 June), with NAMDEF warning that online betting and easier access are driving a rise in gambling-related harm, and calling for possible law changes and a multi-stakeholder report. Urban Pressure in Windhoek: A new debate asks who pays for Windhoek’s growing migration strain, pointing to supply-demand gaps in housing and infrastructure that fuel informal settlements and backlogs. Road Safety & Transport Friction: Motorists protested newly installed B1 speed humps after alleged accidents, while a separate piece highlights Namibia’s stubborn road-death toll and the need for sustained action beyond festive-season pledges. NaTIS on Wheels: A mobile NaTIS truck launched in Omatjete (N$4.2m) to bring eye tests, learner licensing, and vehicle renewals closer to communities, with more units planned. Tourism & Travel Business: A Windhoek entrepreneur shared how Lazilia Travels grew from small Cape Town trips into a wider travel business, and a guide lists stress-free holiday operators for travellers planning their next break. Regional Links & Investment: Namibia’s President pushed Africa’s shift toward local production and industrialisation during talks in Tanzania, as Namibia and Tanzania also signed MoUs covering trade, MSMEs, defence, and Swakopmund–Zanzibar cooperation. City Mobility Upgrade: Windhoek expanded cashless bus top-ups via Standard Bank’s PayPulse app and USSD, aiming to make commuting easier for smartphone and non-smartphone users.

Road Safety & Transport: Social justice activist Michael Amushelelo has mobilised Windhoek motorists to protest newly installed speed humps on the B1, saying they’ve contributed to at least nine accidents in two weeks and calling for an alternative fix. Public Services Access: NaTIS on Wheels has launched in Omatjete, bringing eye tests, biometric capture, learner licence testing and vehicle licence renewals to residents, with the truck set to move next to Okombahe, Fransfontein and Kamanjab. Tourism & Culture Diplomacy: Namibia is pushing deeper ties with Ghana through the maiden “Namibia Meets Ghana Cultural Night,” spotlighting trade and tourism opportunities alongside people-to-people links. Wildlife & Conservation: Natural Selection has opened Nkasa Linyanti, an under-canvas camp in Namibia’s Linyanti wetlands, supporting recovery in a key cross-border elephant corridor. Local Economy & Jobs: Etosha Fishing has received a horse mackerel quota approval after months of disruption, aiming to restart work for hundreds of seasonal employees. Responsible Gambling: Windhoek hosts a responsible gambling summit, with officials urging a public-health approach and a multi-stakeholder task force.

Reparations Push: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah heads to Accra to keep Namibia’s genocide and reparations case moving at a UN-backed high-level conference, stressing truth, acknowledgement and sustained dialogue. Tourism & Culture Diplomacy: Namibia is also using the maiden “Namibia Meets Ghana Cultural Night” to build trade and tourism links with Ghana, with officials pointing to opportunities across tourism, agribusiness and the creative industries. Transport Access Upgrade: NaTIS On Wheels has launched in Omatjete (Erongo), bringing eye tests, biometric capture, learner licence testing and vehicle renewals to communities without long trips to fixed centres. Road Safety Focus: The Roads Authority warns of a temporary Swakopmund–Arandis closure for culvert works, while an NDF workshop targets accident-free driving. Fishing Jobs Relief: Cabinet approved a horse mackerel quota for Etosha Fishing to restart operations and ease months of worker unemployment. Sports & Community: Windhoek’s Nedbank Citi Dash returns on 5–6 September, and the DTS Liqui Fruit Beach Volleyball Winter Classic kicks off with sponsorship support. Economy Watch: Namibia’s repo rate rises to 6.75%, likely lifting loan costs for households and businesses.

NaTIS On Wheels Launch (Omatjete): Namibia’s Roads Authority has rolled out a mobile NaTIS truck in Omatjete, bringing services like eye testing, biometric capture, learner licence testing and vehicle licence renewals directly to remote communities. The truck cost N$4.2 million and will move next to places including Okombahe, Fransfontein and Kamanjab, with more units planned nationwide. Cultural Diplomacy for Tourism & Trade (Accra): Namibia is pushing deeper ties with Ghana through the “Namibia Meets Ghana Cultural Night,” aiming to boost tourism, investment and people-to-people links while exploring partnerships across agribusiness, infrastructure and the creative industries. Cashless Transport Upgrade (Windhoek): The City of Windhoek expanded cashless bus top-ups via Standard Bank’s PayPulse, letting commuters load bus cards using the app or USSD (1406626#), including for non-smartphone users. Wildlife & Conservation Tourism (Nkasa Linyanti): Natural Selection opened Nkasa Linyanti, an under-canvas camp in Namibia’s Linyanti wetlands inside Nkasa Rupara National Park, positioned as a conservation project supporting wildlife recovery and an elephant corridor. Sports Tourism Boost (Citi Dash): Nedbank Citi Dash returns to Windhoek on 5–6 September, with organisers targeting 5,000 runners at Vegkop Stadium, building momentum for Namibia’s running culture. Road Safety & Disruption (Swakopmund–Arandis): A section of the T0202 road near Swakopmund is temporarily closed for culvert rehabilitation, with motorists urged to follow signage and plan routes.

Safari season planning: A new safari guide story says southern Africa’s dry season is ideal for spotting big cats and wildlife at rivers and waterholes, but warns that planning can feel “beastly” without help. Agribusiness auction: A fraud case involving Michael Bronkhorst puts a 4,703ha farm near Summerdown (Okahandja) up for auction today, with Namibia’s land reform rules and a government waiver context in the background. Namibia–Ghana push: Namibia’s High Commission in Accra hosted “Namibia Meets Ghana Cultural Night,” aiming to turn cultural diplomacy into stronger tourism, trade, and investment links. Windhoek cashless transport: The City of Windhoek expanded cashless bus top-ups via Standard Bank’s PayPulse, letting commuters load bus cards through the app or USSD. Running event: Nedbank Citi Dash returns to Windhoek on 5–6 September, targeting 5,000 participants at Vegkop Stadium. Monetary policy impact: Bank of Namibia raised the repo rate 25 bps to 6.75%, likely lifting loan costs for households and businesses. Roads & access: NaTIS On Wheels launched in Omatjete to bring vehicle and licence services closer to remote communities, while a Swakopmund–Arandis road section closed for culvert works. Wildlife tourism news: Natural Selection opened Nkasa Linyanti, an unfenced under-canvas camp in the Linyanti wetlands within Nkasa Rupara National Park, highlighting conservation and an elephant corridor. Oil & gas conference: NOGC 2026 returns to Windhoek (18–20 August) with an expanded programme focused on local opportunity and inclusive growth.

Namibia–Ghana Cultural Diplomacy: Namibia is taking its tourism and trade message to Accra with the maiden “Namibia Meets Ghana Cultural Night,” bringing together diplomats, creatives and business leaders and pointing to cooperation opportunities in tourism, agribusiness, education and the creative industries. Air Connectivity Watch: A new aviation discussion highlights why some high-demand African routes still have no direct flights, stressing that airports, tourism bodies and airlines all need to align before services can launch. Windhoek Transport Upgrade: The City of Windhoek has expanded cashless bus top-ups via Standard Bank’s PayPulse, letting commuters load bus cards through the app or USSD. Road Access for Rural Residents: Roads Authority launched the NaTIS On Wheels truck in Omatjete, offering mobile services like learner testing and vehicle licence renewals to cut travel and waiting times. Sport & Tourism Pulse: Nedbank Citi Dash is back in Windhoek on 5–6 September, with organisers aiming for 5,000 runners at Vegkop Stadium. Policy Impact on Travellers: Namibia’s repo rate was lifted to 6.75%, a move that could raise loan costs for households and businesses. Wildlife & Nature Tourism: Natural Selection opened Nkasa Linyanti, an unfenced camp in the Linyanti wetlands within Nkasa Rupara National Park, positioned as both a new safari draw and a conservation push.

New Safari Opening in KAZA: Natural Selection has opened Nkasa Linyanti, an under-canvas, unfenced camp on Nkasa Island in Nkasa Rupara National Park, aiming to support wildlife recovery in a key elephant corridor across Angola–Namibia–Botswana. Responsible Gambling Summit: Windhoek hosted a summit bringing government, operators and civil society together to tackle gambling addiction as a public health and consumer-safety issue, with plans for a dedicated task force. Road Access for Drivers: The Roads Authority launched NaTIS On Wheels in Omatjete (Erongo) to bring vehicle licensing and learner testing closer to remote communities. Windhoek Smart City Push: The City of Windhoek unveiled a 10-year People-Centred Smart City Strategy (2026–2036) covering digital governance and modern transport. Roadworks Disruption: A temporary closure on the Swakopmund–Arandis T0202 road is set for culvert rehabilitation. Tourism & Travel Context: Cape Town’s tourism report shows strong foreign spend but weaker domestic travel, a useful signal for regional tourism planning. Wildlife Conservation Watch: Namibia’s rhino numbers and broader southern Africa wildlife trends remain in focus as conservation data and initiatives circulate.

Windhoek Smart City Push: The City of Windhoek unveiled its People-Centred Smart City Strategy 2026–2036, aiming to commercialise municipal fibre, modernise public transport, and pursue a commuter rail link between Windhoek, Katutura and Rehoboth—shifting from planning to implementation. Border Services Upgrade: Namibia is moving toward a digital-first migration system to modernise visas, permits and border control, with online processing, electronic payments and real-time case tracking flagged as key goals. Rural Access to Vehicle Services: The NaTIS on Wheels truck was launched in Omatjete (Erongo), bringing vision testing, biometric capture, learner testing and vehicle licensing closer to underserved communities at a reported N$4.2m cost. SME Funding for Growth: A new Namibia SME Fund opens for applications (10 June–24 July), offering grants of N$50,000–N$100,000 to help small businesses expand and create jobs. Tourism & Conservation Angle: Namibia’s tourism-linked conservation conversation continues with coverage of community-led marine groups tied to the global 30×30 ocean protection push. Wildlife News: Tanzania’s latest census tops Africa for lions and buffaloes, while also showing a sharp elephant decline—useful context for Namibia’s own wildlife conservation focus.