The importance of credible forecasts

The Namibian economy has been experiencing slower growth over the past 12 months than we have seen in the last 5 years. There are still a few deniers of this; however the high frequency data is fairly conclusive. This comes after a period of extremely high growth, which has set an excellent base for the […]

The multiplier effect of Basic Income Grants

The debate surrounding the introduction of a Basic Income Grant (BIG), a universal and unconditional cash transfer to Namibians below the age of 60, has sparked up again after President Geingob took office. Much research has been done surrounding the effects of cash transfers, both conditional and unconditional. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank […]

The myth of the lazy poor

The government’s stated “war on poverty”, and accompanying policy proposals such as basic income grants and the solidarity tax, have opened a national debate on the virtues of social grants to the poor. Surprisingly, the idea has gained traction, particularly among wealthier segments of Namibian society, that cash grants to the poorest in our society […]