Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare has presented the Public Enterprises Governance Amendment Bill 2025 in the National Assembly, describing it as a critical reform to enhance the governance, accountability and performance of Namibia’s public enterprises.

The Prime Minister stated that the 2019 Public Enterprises Governance Act initially consolidated governance powers under the minister responsible for public enterprises, but its implementation revealed challenges, including delays, overlapping mandates, and uncertainties that hampered effective oversight.

Dr. Ngurare highlighted that the amendment bill aims to shift key oversight functions to the Prime Minister, ensuring system-wide stewardship and enabling timely intervention in cases of leadership crises.

He further explained that relevant portfolio ministers will be empowered to oversee enterprises within their ministries, providing strategic direction, appointing and removing board members, approving budgets, and presenting annual reports to Parliament.

At the same time, the Minister of Finance will retain key shareholder powers over commercial entities, including approval of dividends, major transactions, audit appointments and safeguarding the State’s equity and economic interests.

The amendments also streamline decision-making by clarifying roles, reducing duplication and establishing clear procedures for governance directives, executive management oversight and temporary board appointments.

He emphasised that while some workflow and administrative adjustments will occur, the changes will not lead to job losses in any office, ministry, or agency.

Dr. Ngurare said the bill strengthens fiscal discipline, accelerates decision-making and enhances transparency, all while safeguarding public enterprises’ service delivery.