Namibia's premier agricultural lender, Agribank, convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Windhoek on 27 September 2023. The event was a platform to showcase the Bank’s accomplishments and present strategic plans that will shape the future of the institution. The AGM was graced by the presence of Honourable Iipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

During the financial year ending on 31 March 2023, Agribank significantly boosted its loan disbursements, reaching over N$284 million compared to the previous year's N$194 million. Notably, 564 clients benefited from these loans, up from 440 the prior year.

Land purchases continued to dominate the loan allocations, amounting to N$98.2 million and covering 134,122 hectares in FY2023, a considerable increase from N$55.1 million and 57,965 hectares in FY2022. Livestock purchases also saw a rise, reaching N$76.8 million in FY2023 compared to N$52.2 million the previous year.

Loans extended to women increased to N$55.4 million from N$30.1 million in 2022, while youth loans rose to over N$30.6 million in FY2023 from N$20.5 million in the prior year. The bank supported full-time communal farmers without collateral through its Emerging Retail Financing Product (ERFP), providing over N$25.2 million, up from N$12.6 million in the prior fiscal year. Additionally, the no-collateral scheme backed by salaries aided employees engaging in part-time farming, with N$13.5 million disbursed in FY2023 compared to N$10.1 million during the FY2022.

Agribank's Chairperson, Josephat Mwatotele, acknowledged the bank's commendable financial performance, highlighting a surplus of N$49.5 million. “I am encouraged by the sales and collection efforts that are on an upward trajectory, despite operating in a very difficult environment”, Mwatotele stated. He emphasized the challenges posed by weather patterns with frequent droughts as well as global events that are continuously increasing input costs and thereby squeezing disposal income of farmers. The focus moving forward includes stakeholder engagement, operational efficiencies and enhanced complaints management system to improve customer service, underpinned by best governance practices.

Honorable Shiimi applauded the Agribank Board and Management for “playing an active role in the transformation of agriculture, by contributing to efforts to remove barriers across the agriculture value chains”. Shiimi further urged the Bank’s leadership to use such platforms to create opportunities for farmers and encourage them to adopt climate resilient practices. The minister also indicated that his ministry is working on new approaches for governance of public enterprises, which include the coordinated Board development program for state owned enterprises, lifting of key performance indicators from strategic business plans, leadership development within SOEs as well as formalizing performance culture as some of the key requirements for reporting at AGMs and public enterprise governance going forward.

At the occasion, Agribank Chief Executive Officer Dr Raphael Karuaihe, who presented the Bank’s operational highlights, noted that prudent expenses management, enhanced momentum on sales growth and the sales automation initiatives were key focus areas for the review period. Dr Karuaihe also stated that going forward, the Bank will focus on strengthening engagements with the shareholder, forging strategic partnerships across the agricultural value chains, developing a sustainable funding model, enhancing collection and arrears management, auctions prevention strategy, aligning product innovation and inclusion as well as compliance with the public enterprises’ governance act.

Pictured above: Seated – Hon. Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance & Public Enterprises (in the middle); Mrs Peyavali Hangula, Deputy Board Chairperson (L); and Mrs Dolly Nashandi, Board Member (R). Standing from L-R: Mr Josephat Mwatotele, Board Chairperson; Mr Brian Katjaerua, and Mr Alfred Sikopo, Board Members.

Agricultural loan disbursements by Agribank increased by 40% in 1Q2023/24 (April–June 2023) compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The recorded increase is mainly driven by triple-digit growth in farmland loans as well as livestock loans.

Total loans advanced for the quarter under review stood at N$74.3 million, compared to N$46.9 million for the first quarter of 2022/23 financial year. In addition to the farmland and livestock loans, impressive growth was also noted under the crop sector, mainly propelled by crop production loans to irrigation farmers, specifically in the Otjozondjupa region. This supports the Bank’s strategy of loan book diversification.

Loan distribution by gender and age categories shows that males continue to dominate the loans advanced, accounting for 59% in the 1Q2023/24 compared to 46% in the corresponding quarter in the 2022/23 financial year. Loans advanced to females accounted for 18% in 1Q2023/24, which is a decline when compared to 30% in the corresponding quarter in the 2022/23 financial year. Groups and companies accounted for 23%, which include male and females. In terms of loans advanced by age, 35% of the loans were taken up by individual farmers under the age category of 31–40 years. This demonstrates the Bank’s efforts to deliver on its socio-economic mandate through targeted and special financing solutions to attract participation of women and youth in the agriculture sector.

As the private sector credit extension picked up, Agribank observed an increase in the agricultural extension market share of 46% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 45% in the prior year. The increase could be attributed to the competitive loan terms offered by Agribank, amidst a rising interest rate environment.

As a national development finance institution, Agribank will continue to play a catalyst role in addressing key national development issues such as food security, poverty reduction, and employment creation within the agriculture space. Agribank strives to ensure inclusive development by empowering smallholder and large commercial farmers through access to tailored agricultural loans, training as well as advisory services.

The newly appointed Board Chairperson of the Agricultural Bank of Namibia, Mr. Josephat Mwatotele, has announced that financial sustainability, service delivery and socio-economic transformation will be the key focus areas during their tenure as Board of Directors of the Bank. Mr. Mwatotele made the announcement during the inauguration of the revamped Agribank Rundu offices, on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.