Bank Windhoek honours northern motor industry

Bank Windhoek recently recognised top-performing dealer partners at the Northern Selekt Sales Awards Ceremony, underscoring renewed momentum in Namibia’s vehicle market and the Bank’s focus on responsible finance that helps households move and businesses grow across Northern Namibia. The awards event, held on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, in Oshakati, recognised dealerships and sales professionals who delivered outstanding performance during 2025. The awards form part of Bank Windhoek’s commitment to partnership-driven growth across the motoring value chain, celebrating results, professionalism and customer-focused service that help individuals and businesses secure the mobility they need to thrive. In her keynote address, Bank Windhoek’s Regional Manager for the Far North, Mire Christof, said Namibia recorded 14 494 vehicle sales in 2025, the strongest performance since 2015, and maintained the upswing into 2026, with 1 005 units sold in January, the best January since 2016, and a 4% year-on-year increase. She added that key highlights included strong demand in the north for tough, practical vehicles such as pickup trucks (bakkies), Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), and commercial vehicles used for farming, transport, construction, and cross-border trade. “More small businesses are taking vehicle finance to grow their operations and create jobs, and customers also want faster, easier service through digital finance tools,” said Christof. She added that affordability improved after the Bank of Namibia lowered the repo rate to 6.5% in late 2025 and kept it there through early 2026, while Bank Windhoek maintained a leading market share, supported by steady dealer partnerships. At the recent event, Indongo Toyota Ongwediva was awarded Gold for Overall Dealership of the Year, Pupkewitz Toyota Oshakati received Silver, and Pupkewitz Volkswagen North received Bronze. In the Top Salesperson of the Year category, Nikanor Shindombo (Indongo Toyota Ongwediva) was awarded Gold, Hendrik Johannes (Indongo Toyota Ongwediva) received Silver, and Elvis Kautjituavi (Pupkewitz Toyota Oshakati) received Bronze. The winners all thanked Bank Windhoek for its outstanding relationship-driven approach to business. They applauded the Bank for the constant recognition over the years. “In the north, vehicles are not only a convenience; they are productive assets. As an industry, we must meet rising expectations for convenience, transparency and speed, while keeping growth responsible and grounded in affordability,” said Christof. –newsroom@nepc.com.na