Swartbooi says Namibians are getting poorer
Bernadus Swartbooi, leader of the Landless People’s Movement, claims that Namibians are becoming poorer. He stated in the National Assembly that low incomes and high living costs are driving citizens toward expensive microloans. During a mid-term budget review debate, Swartbooi argued that this trend shows the hardship ordinary people face. Statistics show a 27% increase in loan portfolios for microlenders, which reached N$9.3 billion in the second quarter of 2026. Approximately 279,500 people in the country are currently using these services. Swartbooi questioned if the population has become desperate for money just to survive.
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says rising living costs and low incomes are pushing more Namibians towards expensive microloans. Swartbooi says the growing number of people borrowing from microlenders shows how difficult life has become for ordinary Namibians. He made the remarks in the National Assembly on Thursday during his contribution to the mid-term budget review debate. Microlenders recorded a 27% increase in their loan portfolios, reaching N$9.3 billion in the second quarter of 2026. About 279 500 Namibians are borrowing money from microlenders. “Is it that Namibians are more and more desperate to get money for survival