Namport's assets have reached N$7.6 billion following the inauguration of a new container terminal in Walvis Bay, constructed by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd. The terminal, which increases container handling capacity significantly, is part of Namibia's Vision 2030 strategic plan to transform Walvis Bay into a logistics hub for southern Africa. The project employed over 2,000 Namibians and provided training to 800 local employees. The African Development Bank sees the terminal as a key development for Namibia and neighboring landlocked countries.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded the government's debt rating from Ba3 to B1 but improved the outlook from negative to stable, reflecting confidence in fiscal consolidation efforts despite spending challenges. The B1 rating highlights reduced economic shock absorption and a projected debt ratio increase to 75% of GDP by 2024. Social spending pressures, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, pose fiscal risks. External support, including loans from the African Development Bank, strengthens foreign exchange reserves, providing a buffer against current account deficits. However, large borrowing requirements and weakening debt affordability expose the credit profile to tightening liquidity conditions amid rising global inflation.

The European Union Film Festival, organized in collaboration with the EU delegation in Namibia and various cultural institutions, will commence on 6 October and run until 1 December with free entrance. The festival will feature award-winning European and Namibian films, including six European and three Namibian movies, with the aim of raising interest in these films and strengthening EU-Namibian relations. EU Ambassador to Namibia, Sinikka Antila, highlighted the festival's role in fostering cooperation and capacity building among local filmmakers.

SACU members are experiencing subdued economic growth, with projections between 0.5% and 4.2% for 2019, as stated by Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein. Challenges include weak domestic demand, sluggish investment, and declining exports. Schlettwein emphasized the importance of implementing measures for domestic resilience and inclusive growth. He also noted the inaugural AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting as a significant step towards the operationalization of AfCFTA, which will expand market access across Africa. Additionally, he praised the SACU Trade Ministers for securing a trade agreement with the UK, ensuring continuity post-Brexit.

NamPower announced plans to invest over N$7 billion in the next five to seven years on the Transmission Infrastructure Expansion Programme to maintain and upgrade its transmission infrastructure. This includes the integration of two new transformers from India, with a voltage rating of 330/132/22kV and 80 MVA capacity, which will replace the aging transformers at the Ruacana Power Station and cater to increased demand in the northern central area of Namibia.

Business Monitor International (BMI) Research forecasts that credit growth in Namibia will accelerate in 2018, reaching 7% year on year, up from an estimated 5% in 2017. However, deposit growth is expected to slow to 8%, down from an estimated 10% in 2017. The recovery in real GDP is projected to be 3.5%, driven by the agriculture and mining sectors, which traditionally do not rely heavily on bank funding. Despite the economic upturn, BMI anticipates that lending growth will remain below the average rate from the previous decade due to a near 1.00 loan-to-deposit ratio and an expected rise in inflation to an average of 5.5% in 2018.

Meatco is selling one million cans of corned beef deemed sub-standard due to minor tin and/or seam defects, which are safe for human consumption but not for resale. The Namibia Standard Institution downgraded the cans, and Meatco has made them available to staff, farmers associations, and the public, with clear labelling against resale. Meatco also donated 25,000 cans to the Khomas Regional Council for COVID-19 support, urging the public and police to prevent resale of these products.

Around 500 local families in need will receive basic food parcels during Ramadan from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). The parcels, including maize meal, oil, rice, beans, and other items, will be distributed by the Windhoek Islamic Center in various locations including Windhoek, Groot Aub, and Keetmanshoop. TIKA's Country Coordinator, Aydin Apaydin, emphasized the tradition of assisting countries during difficult times, while the Turkish Ambassador to Namibia, Berin Tulum, reiterated Turkey's commitment to international stability through aid. WIC Chairperson, Salmaan Jacobs, expressed gratitude for TIKA's long-term support.

The Electricity Control Board (ECB) launched the Consumer Education Campaign to enhance knowledge and empowerment within the local electricity value chain. ECB Chief Executive, Robert Kahimise, emphasized the campaign's role in simplifying the electricity sector and enabling consumers to manage their electricity consumption effectively. The campaign will include educational materials, social media content, and interactive sessions. It introduces characters representing consumer concerns and the ECB's role in clarifying the tariff determination process. The campaign focuses on the NEST tool for simulating electricity usage and the Modified Single Buyer market model to encourage competition and potentially reduce electricity tariffs. The ECB is seeking partnerships with media houses to spread the campaign's message.