NEPRU is an autonomous Namibian research institute that undertakes applied socio-economic, policy-related research for and on behalf of the Government, domestic and international institutions, as well as the private sector.

To support the Government of Namibia’s development goals by providing economic policy advice and conducting economic research building research capacity.

1. Macroeconomic and fiscal policies

• Macroeconomic planning and policy analysis
• Monitoring and publishing of macroeconomic indicators
• Macroeconomic modelling and micro-simulation
• National budget analysis
• Public expenditure reviews and public expenditure tracking surveys
• Revenue impact of trade liberalisation

 

2. Financial Economics, Information & Communication Technology

• Financial Inclusion
• Trade in Financial Services
• Structure of the Financial Sector
• Monetary Systems § Financial Markets
• Asset Pricing § Corporate Finance
• Saving and Investment
• ICT Access and Usage
• ICT Applications for Development

 

3. Regional Integration, Trade & Private Sector Development

• Regional economic integration and the impacts of trade liberalization
• Publication of the Monitoring Regional Integration in Southern Africa Yearbook
• Support to SADC and SACU secretariats through regional research, monitoring and evaluation
• Support to national SADC institutions through participation in committees Regional Business Climate Surveys

Although NEPRU’s work concentrates on Namibia, the institute is increasingly involved in research in the Southern African Region. For instance, NEPRU is: · Member of the Southern and Eastern Africa Policy Research Network (SEAPREN); · Involved in the Formative Process Research on Integration in Southern Africa (FOPRISA) in support of the SADC Secretariat; Co-editor of the annual Monitoring Regional Integration Yearbook.

NEPRU’s activities are financed from two sources: income from commissioned research and financial as well as technical support from International Cooperation partners. Our clients for commissioned research projects are primarily the government, international cooperation partners, various Non-Governmental Organisations as well as the private sector. The current and past capacity building activities are and have been partially funded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). Other partners have included the German Church Development Service Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation, Africa Groups of Sweden, Centrum for International Migration and Voluntary Services Overseas.

NEPRU employs Namibian graduates with first degrees in Economics as Researchers. They are trained mainly on-the-job in all stages of a research project. In addition, NEPRU offers training courses in, among others, research methodology, econometrics and SAM-based macro-economic modelling. NEPRU also offers the opportunity for further studies, such as a Master degree or a PhD in economics. Furthermore, NEPRU will be participating in a SEAPREN researcher exchange programme that provides the opportunity to work at other SEAPREN institutes and at CMI in Norway for up to a year.

NEPRU has published about 300 reports in the following series: Research Reports, Working Papers, Policy Briefs, Quarterly and Annual Economic Reviews, topical Viewpoints, and books. The publications are available on NEPRU’s web site and can be downloaded free of charge. The NEPRU web site contains daily updated economic indicators such as mineral and agricultural commodity prices and exchange rates and links to historic data for a broad range of economic indicators.

NEPRU’s Library has a comprehensive collection of documentation (books, reports, unpublished materials) on Namibian as well as regional economic issues. NEPRU has subscribed to a number of international journals. The Library has a number of exchange agreements with institutions in Namibia, in the region and beyond. All NEPRU in-house publications are on sale in the library. The library is open to the public and frequently used by Namibian and international students and researchers.

NEPRU presently has a staff complement of 9, consisting of both research and administration staff. Of the research staff we have 5 Researchers.  In addition to its own staff, NEPRU has also employed a number of international and local research consultants on its projects.

• Dr. Zedekia Josef Ngavirue: Chairperson
• Hon. Ben Amathila: Founding Member
• Hon. Nandi Netumbo-Ndaitwah: Ministry of Enviroment and Tourism
• Dr. Kaire Mbuende: Founding Member
• Ms. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun: Chairperson United Africa
• Dr. Victoria N. Nicodemus: Independent Consultant
• Ms. Loini N. Katoma: Independent Consultant
• Dr. Esau Kaakunga: University of Namibia
• Adv. Vekuii Rukoro: First National Bank



Programme Advisory Committee

The Committee comprises of professionals from core institutions benefiting from, or affected by, NEPRU's activities. In line with the Policy Document for the Operations of NEPRU endorsed by the Board of Trustees on 28 September 2000 , its task is to guide NEPRU in the development of its research programme. This is aimed at ensuring the importance and relevance of NEPRU's operations. The Board of Trustees has set up the Committee. It meets annually or as required and its members are:

•  Dr. Zedekia Josef Ngavirue: Chairperson

•  Mr. Mocks Shivute: National Planning Commission Secretariat

•  Mr. Douglas Reissner: Olthaver and List Group

•  Mr. Wendley Shiimi: Bank of Namibia Bank of Namibia

•  Ms. Cecilia Ndishishi: Ministry of Finance

•  Mr. Aaron Mushimba: Namibian Harvest Group

•  Mr. Taara Shaanika: Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry