Namibia’s Gambling Board pays US$902,000 dividend to State
Shikongo says annual contributions from profitable parastatals could help fund healthcare and other public needs.
Key takeaways:
- Namibia’s Gambling Board (GBN) has handed over N$15m in dividends to the government for the 2025/2026 financial year.
- Environment Minister Indileni Daniel and Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah witnessed the handover in Windhoek.
- GBN Chairperson Ben Shikongo urged profitable parastatals to make annual contributions towards government finances.
- Shikongo said dividend contributions could help fund public needs, including healthcare and public projects.
Namibia.- Namibia’s Gambling Board (GBN) has paid N$15m (US$902,000) in dividends to the government for the 2025/2026 financial year. Chairperson Ben Shikongo used the handover to urge other profitable state-linked institutions to share their earnings with the State.
According to an announcement by GBN, the handover took place in Windhoek on October 28 and was witnessed by Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel and Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah. The announcement also identified GBN Chairperson Ben Shikongo, Deputy Executive Director Colgar Sikopo, acting Chief Executive John Erastus and senior officials from the Environment and Finance ministries as attendees.
The N$15m payment was made to the government in its capacity as a shareholder in the Gambling Board. Daniel commended the regulator for its financial performance.
Shikongo urged government-linked institutions to contribute towards public finances where their financial positions allow, according to Business Pulse 360°. He called on profitable parastatals to meet the government halfway through annual contributions. “Whatever we are generating, whatever we are profiting, definitely we should share with the government,” he said.
Shikongo argued that annual contributions from profitable parastatals could help the government address public needs, including healthcare and projects aimed at supporting the public.
He acknowledged that not all state-linked institutions would be in a position to make dividend payments, particularly those operating at a loss. However, he urged such entities to be transparent about their financial positions rather than leave the public expecting a contribution they could not make.
Shikongo also pointed to unemployment and growing pressure on government resources, urging profitable institutions to contribute towards addressing the country’s public needs.
The announcement did not disclose the Board’s total profit for the 2025/2026 financial year or provide details of any previous dividend payments. The GBN carries out the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s delegated responsibility to regulate, license and monitor the country’s gambling industry.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Why did Namibia’s Gambling Board pay dividends to the government? The payment was made to the government in its capacity as a shareholder in the Gambling Board.
- What did GBN Chairperson Ben Shikongo urge other parastatals to do? Shikongo urged profitable state-linked institutions to share their earnings with the government through annual contributions where their financial positions allow.
- Did the Gambling Board of Namibia disclose its total profit? No. The announcement did not disclose GBN’s total profit for the 2025/2026 financial year or provide details of previous dividend payments.
