Economist Mally Likukela has shared his views on the 2025/2026 national budget during an interview on nbc's parliamentary programme 'Inside the Chambers'.

Likukela said the budget matters not only because it is bigger than last year's but also because it is the first budget of the new administration.

He believes the new government is trying to respond to the real issues people are facing by looking at them in a fresh way.

However, when the budget was presented in the National Assembly, some MPs raised concerns.

They said the budget is not doing enough to deal with poverty and unemployment.

Likukela agreed that these are valid concerns, saying poverty and unemployment affect all Namibians and should be a priority.

He explained that the budget is a tool made up of different parts, and each of them plays a role in how the country is managed.

Some MPs also said the budget process seemed to have been rushed, but Likukela disagreed, saying it takes 12 months, so it is not rushed at all.

When asked about calls to restructure Namibia's market economy, Likukela said in the context of the budget, the focus should be on current market challenges.

He noted that some analysts feel the budget doesn't speak to the reality in the economy.

In closing, Likukela encouraged lawmakers to take time and understand the technical side of the budget better as the debate continues in Parliament this week.