Over the past two decades, derivatives have demonstrated their important role in the financial market. At the same time, they have been criticized for some severe financial losses (Eales, 2004). These instruments enhance the ability to differentiate risk and allocate it to those investors most able and willing to take it. It appears that along with the benefits of powerful new tool for managing risks and the ability to create preferred return patterns, the use of various derivatives instruments has become what often appears to be a substantial risk (McHenry, 1995). This research aims to investigate whether financial institutions in Namibia use derivatives instruments and to ascertain the risk management practices that institutions have put in place in order to avert huge derivative losses. This survey covered all the portfolio managers that register with the Namibia Financial Institution Supervisory Body. The sample was chosen for the reason that portfolio managers are usually at the center of derivative trading dealing on behalf of their clients as market markers or trading on their own account. Overall, this research reveals that 64.7% of financial institution in Namibia use derivatives instruments. Although institutions use derivatives for different reasons, hedging was rated high among derivative users with 58.3% followed by asset allocation with 45.5%. Accessing to market is rated third. It is also found that future contract and swaps are the most traded derivatives instrument, followed by forward contracts. This research discovers that significant proportions (61.5%) of derivatives users find that derivatives are helpful and they will increase usage in the next financial year. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2008.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the factors that hinder the growth of the microfinance industry in Namibia. The actual issues of the sector are not known as not much research has been undertaken on it. However, it is possible to establish the constraints that limit the growth of the microfinance environment in the country. The study presents the identified limitations with associated solutions as experienced in different countries and reported by various authors and academics. The desired situation would be for the microfinance sector to operate effectively by serving the poor and unemployed but economically active people. Although this is not the all encompassing solution to the plight of the rural and urban poor, it is, however, the beginning at the attempt to move out of poverty. The questions that the respondents answered were designed specifically to clarify which sector of the low income section of society that was accessing the loans available on the market. This fact will enable policymakers to focus on resolving the hindrance that will produce the most results than taking haphazard actions that bring minimal results. The results could also be useful to microfinance providers in that they can use the information to identify business opportunities for the diversification of the products they offer. Finally, the constraints hindering the growth of microfinance such as the restrictive regulatory environment for one are not unique to Namibia. Hence, the experience and solutions from other countries are available for study. However, the local industry would have to initiate their own solutions to match and meet local conditions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die faktore wat die groei van mikrofinansies in Namibie belemmer. Die werklike probleme is nie bekend nie omdat baie min navorsing nog in hierdie verband gedoen is. Dit is egter wel moontlik om die beperkinge tot groei van die mikrofinansies industrie in Namibie te bepaal. Die studie bied 'n oorsig van bekende beperkinge en moontlike oplossings soos ervaar in verskillende lande en soos gerapporteer deur verskeie outeurs en akademici. Die ideale situasie sal wees dat die mikrofinansies sektor effektief funksioneer deur die armes en werkloses, maar ekonomies aktiewe, gemeenskap te dien. Hoewel dit nie 'n alomvattende oplossing bied vir die behoeftes van plattelandse en stedelike armes nie, is dit egter 'n poging om hierdie mense uit armoede te lig. Die vrae wat respondente moes antwoord het spesifiek gepoog am te bepaal watter sektor van die samelewing die lenings wat beskikbaar is in die mark gebruik. Hierdie kennis sal wetgewers in staat stel om te fokus op probleme wat die grootste struikelblokke is, eerder as om lukraak probleme aan te spreek met minimale resultate. Die bevindinge mag ook van belang wees vir mikrofinansies voorsieners wat die inligting kan gebruik om besigheidsgeleenthede te identifiseer om sodoende hulle produk-reeks te diversifiseer. Laastens, die beperkinge in die mikrofinansies sektor soos die beperkende regulatoriese omgewing is nie uniek tot Namibie nie. Dus, die oplossings vanuit ander lande kan toegepas word in Namibie. Die Namibiese industrie sal egter hulle eie oplossings moet vind om die plaaslike omstandighede die hoof te bied.

Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / The level of poverty in Namibia is relatively high. Access to finance is cited as one of factors hampering economic growth and poverty alleviation. Microfinance is seen as one of the effective tools that can address poverty alleviation by engaging the poor in sustainable economic activities. Microfinance services have existed in Namibia since the late 1990s, yet they have not attained growth. The main providers of microfinance services consist mainly of Micro-lenders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS), Public Financial Institutions (PFI) and to a less extent Commercial Banks (CB). This research report aimed to study and identify the problems that impact on the growth of microfinance finance institutions (MFIs) in Namibia. The findings of this study revealed that lack of regulatory and policy framework, lack of capital and high operational costs were the main problem areas hampering the growth of MFIs in Namibia. The study made recommendations which are aimed at enhancing the growth of microfinance institutions.