Namibia’s Welwitschia Fund has grown to US$31.3 million, approximately N$514.6 million, as at 30 June 2026, from US$17.94 million at its inception in November 2022.
According to the latest Cabinet briefing, the sovereign wealth fund recorded a 9.4% return during the first half of 2026, outperforming its benchmark by 6.4 percentage points.
“Cabinet took note of the Welwitschia Fund Performance Report for the first half of 2026 (1H2026), including the Fund’s return of 9.4 percent for the period, outperforming its benchmark by 6.4 percentage points,” Cabinet said.
Cabinet also noted that the fund’s market value had increased to US$31.3 million, approximately N$514.6 million, by the end of June from US$17.94 million at inception.
The fund received initial seed capital of US$17.74 million, equivalent to N$282.68 million, in 2022. Its value subsequently increased to about N$440 million in August 2025 and later surpassed N$508 million before reaching N$514.6 million by June 2026.
Established in 2022, the Welwitschia Fund is intended to strengthen Namibia’s resilience to economic and external shocks while building savings for future generations.
The fund has two main components: a stabilisation account aimed at supporting the economy during periods of fiscal or external pressure and an inter-generational savings account focused on accumulating long-term wealth.
Both accounts are managed by the Bank of Namibia under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
Proposed withdrawal rules seek to limit access to the fund’s capital. Withdrawals from the inter-generational savings account would be restricted to investment returns, with annual withdrawals capped at 10% of accumulated returns.
Withdrawals from the stabilisation account would be limited to 10% of its total assets in a year and permitted only when specified fiscal conditions are met.
Meanwhile, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Namibia Bill is undergoing statutory approval and is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year. The proposed legislation is expected to establish the legal framework governing the fund’s investments, withdrawals and governance arrangements.
About 2.5% of the inter-generational component is also expected to be invested in infrastructure projects with long-term socio-economic benefits.
The fund is intended to provide a mechanism through which revenues from Namibia’s natural resources can be converted into long-term financial assets and savings for future generations.
