Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab announced he will step down by the end of December 2025, having fulfilled his mandate and leaving the central bank in a stable and sustainable position for his successor. 

!Gawaxab, who served for over five years, said his full five-year term expired in June, but he will finish five and a half years by the year-end. 

He praised the bank’s strong financial standing and competent leadership team, emphasising that this is a planned handover to the next generation of leaders. 

"And the organisation is fundamentally very strong and is financially sustainable. It is well-positioned to increase its impact, and the quality of the people that we have as employees, as management, as directors, and as deputy governors is actually in a state where they don't need me. So it's not the end."

He expressed a desire to spend more time with his family over the coming months and will decide on his next steps afterwards.