Bank of Namibia Governor Joins African Central Bank Leaders at Oxford Economic Roundtable

Bank of Namibia Governor Joins African Central Bank Leaders at Oxford Economic Roundtable. Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Mr. Johannes !Gawaxab, participated in the Roundtable for African Central Bank Governors held from 1 to 2 July 2025 at the University of Oxford. The high-level gathering, hosted by the Centre for the Study of African Economies, brought together monetary authorities from across the continent to exchange perspectives on Africa’s evolving economic landscape.

The roundtable focused on key themes impacting the continent’s financial systems and growth prospects. Topics included the current state of the African economy, cross-border digital trade, the role of artificial intelligence in financial services, changes in the global financial architecture, and the significance of critical minerals amid shifting energy and monetary dynamics.

In his address, Governor !Gawaxab highlighted the need for African countries to proactively shape their economic futures. “In this era of technological and monetary transformation, Africa must not only adapt, we must lead,” he said.

The discussions underscored the need for central banks to explore new policy tools and frameworks in response to digital innovation, financial inclusion imperatives, and emerging global risks. The rise of AI, digital currencies, and green finance were also identified as areas where African financial institutions must invest in both capability and collaboration.

Governor !Gawaxab’s participation reflects Namibia’s ongoing commitment to staying engaged in regional and global monetary dialogues, particularly as it navigates its own economic recovery and long-term transformation goals.