Namibia invests N$6.8 billion to improve water supply, sanitation

STAFF WRITER

Namibia has invested about N$6.8 billion to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the near future , Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi has said.

Speaking at the AU-AIP Water Investment Summit in South Africa on Friday Zaamwani-Kamwi said Namibia has  secured about N$4 billion in concessional loans from the African Development Bank and KfW for the next Mid-term expenditure to improve water supply and provision of sanitation. 

She also told the gathering that Namibia allocated N$ 2.8 billion over the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for priority water and sanitation infrastructure. 

The funds will support rural water supply schemes, and sanitation facilities—targeting underserved communities to ensure that no Namibian is left behind, Zaamwani-Lamwi said.

“These resources are earmarked for large-scale projects that will improve bulk water conveyance, rehabilitation of ageing infrastructure, and to expand sanitation coverage in both rural and urban areas,” said.

The Minister said they have committed about N$45 million (approximately US$2.5 million) to carrying out a joint feasibility study on the Noordoewer Vioolsdrift Dam with South Africa.

“ The capital costs requirement for the dam construction is about 231 million USD, which we are hoping to attract interest from investors. This project is important for long-term water security for social and economic development of our two nations and the Ecological Water Requirements (EWR) in the Lower Orange River.

“We know that public financing alone is not enough. Namibia is therefore advancing public-private partnerships as a core part of our water security strategy. Another flagship initiative project is the planned coastal desalination plant, to be developed with private investors, in a public- private partnership,” she said.

Zaamwani-Kamwi said the  facility will supply water to the mining sector, which is critical to our economy. 

“Our investment drive is not limited to infrastructure. We are equally committed to building the institutional and technical capacity needed to operate and maintain these infrastructure sustainably. This includes strengthening our water governance frameworks, improving cost-recovery mechanisms and efficiency, and expanding skills training for the water sector workforce, also in the project preparation and management capacity.

“We recognise that water security is inseparable from food security, energy security, public health, tourism and economic competitiveness,” she said.