By Africa Bazaar Staff Writer | December 19, 2025
Namibia has moved to reinforce economic stability and investor confidence with the appointment of Ebson Uanguta as Governor of the Bank of Namibia, effective January 1 for a five-year term. The decision places a seasoned insider at the helm of the country’s most important economic institution at a time when financial credibility and policy consistency matter more than ever.
Mr. Uanguta succeeds Dr. Johnson Gawaxab, who will step down at the end of the year, ensuring a smooth leadership transition at the central bank. A long-serving technocrat, Uanguta has been Deputy Governor since January 2012, playing a key role in monetary policy formulation, financial-sector oversight, and institutional governance.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, acting under Namibia’s constitutional mandate, said she was confident Uanguta would lead the Bank with professionalism, integrity, and loyalty to the Constitution, while faithfully upholding the central bank’s mandate. Her endorsement underscores a deliberate choice for continuity over disruption—an approach closely watched by markets.
With Uanguta’s elevation, President Nandi-Ndaitwah sends a clear signal to investors: policy stability remains Namibia’s anchor. Central bank leadership transitions often introduce uncertainty, but appointing a long-time deputy reassures markets that monetary discipline, regulatory oversight, and financial governance will remain predictable.
The Bank of Namibia plays a pivotal role in safeguarding monetary and financial stability, maintaining confidence in the financial system, and supporting sustainable economic growth. With Namibia consolidating its post-pandemic recovery and strengthening fiscal and financial governance, continuity at the central bank reduces risk premiums and supports investor planning.
Uanguta’s appointment also reinforces Namibia’s reputation as one of Africa’s more institutionally stable economies. For international lenders, development partners, and portfolio investors, strong central bank leadership has become a key marker of sovereign credibility. This latest appointment signals that Namibia intends to remain aligned with global best practices in monetary management, banking supervision, and macroeconomic stability.
With global capital becoming more selective, particularly toward frontier and emerging markets, credible institutions matter as much as growth prospects. By placing an experienced hand at the helm of the Bank of Namibia, the country is positioning itself as a safe, rules-based destination for capital in a volatile global environment.
