Some members of the National Council welcomed the drought relief budget allocation following the adjustment of the amount by the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Iipumbu Shiimi added an additional N$643 million to supplement the drought relief provision under the Office of the Prime Minister, covering both food distribution as well as support for affected farmers.

Swapo MP Leonard Shikulo expressed appreciation, saying the community of the Omusati Region is satisfied with the allocation of funds for drought relief.

Despite economic challenges, Namibia has displayed resilience, with an estimated growth rate of 3.5% in 2023.

The public debt stock is expected to reach N$153.8 billion of the gross domestic product (GDP), showing a slight improvement from the previous year.

This was revealed by Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi during the 2023–24 Budget Mid-Year Review.

In his speech, Minister Shiimi acknowledged the growing costs of servicing the national debt and reaffirmed the government's commitment to stabilising debt growth and preserving fiscal stability.

The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, unveiled the financial adjustments during the presentation of the N$4.8 billion 2023–2024 Appropriation Bill.

An additional budget of N$643 million will go towards the drought relief programme under the Office of the Prime Minister.

This allocation will provide food aid and assistance to farmers affected by the drought.

Various government departments will receive a total of N$438.5 million for goods and services.

Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC Namibia) has released an official statement addressing allegations of missing funds.

The company's response comes after an incident in Parliament where Bernadus Swartbooi of the Landless People Movement (LPM) posed questions to the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Iipumbu Shiimi, about an alleged transfer of N$1.2 billion from MTC's account to an unidentified recipient, purportedly for funding legal costs in the ongoing Fishrot court case.

The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Iipumbu Shiimi, says the government is looking into reviving abandoned national projects in the Zambezi Region. Shiimi visited projects that have been left incomplete in the region.

The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, reiterated the significance of engaging with ||Kharas regional leadership during a meeting held in Keetmanshoop.

He emphasised the importance of consulting with stakeholders to effectively address and incorporate their budgetary needs.

The consultations with regional councillors and local authorities in the region are aimed at understanding the current pressing financial needs and planning for next year's budget.

Cabinet has directed the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, to lead a comprehensive assessment of the proposed re-imagined Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

This was part of the recommendations at the 8th Summit of the SACU Heads of State and Government held in Eswatini.

This resolution was announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Peya Mushelanga.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called on Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi to release the report of Ernst & Young into the operations of TransNamib as well as responses by the board and management to the report.

The call comes after the report by the auditing firm allegedly revealed some procurement irregularities.

The report follows an independent investigation by Ernst and Young that commenced in 2021 after allegations and perceptions of poor governance and mismanagement at TransNamib.

The Landless People's Movement (LPM) Member of Parliament, Hennie Seibeb. has called for the enactment of laws to control and manage lithium mining in Namibia.

Seibeb said this when he motivated his motion in the National Assembly, which was supported by many MPs.

The recent discovery of one of Earth's rare mineral resources, lithium, has sparked intense exploration interests among many.

The Erongo Region, and more particularly the surrounding areas of Uis and Omatjetje, have now become areas of attraction and places of interest for potential investors.

Finance and Public Enterprises Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi has dismissed reports that government will not affect civil servants' salary increments as a result of stringent conditions enforced by the International Monetary Fund.

Shiimi explained that as a result of COVID-19, the government was forced to seek some additional financial resources from the IMF.

However, he says this money did not come with conditions and that government did not commit not to increasing the salaries.