AfDB doubles Namibia’s water security budget, major boost to livestock farmers
The African Development Bank has contributed N$990,050,631 to Namibia's Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination Programme (WSSCP) - an amount that exceeds the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform's (MAFWLR) entire budget of N$956,475,000 for the Vote 38: Water and Marine Resources 2025/2026 financial year.
This external funding will be used in combination with the government's allocation of N$471,056,000 to the WSSCP of Vote 38, Minister Inge Zaamwani stated in her budget motivation speech on 8 May. The combined N$1,4 billion investment will fund water infrastructure projects benefiting, amongst others, Namibian livestock farmers and rural communities.
N$300 MILLION ALLOCATED TO WATER SUPPLY SECURITY PROJECTS
The Construction of the Water Supply Security Infrastructure Project has received N$300 million (32% of the total water budget). This allocation will fund the Oshakati and Rundu Purification Plants extensions and the proposed Erongo Desalination Plant, which will serve both urban water needs and surrounding agricultural areas.
EARTH DAMS AND TRADITIONAL WELLS TO ENHANCE LIVESTOCK WATER ACCESS
A portion of the N$471 million Water Supply and Sanitation budget is allocated for constructing 33 new earth dams across all regions. The regional distribution includes: Oshikoto (2), Ohangwena (2), Omusati (2), Oshana (2), Erongo (1), Otjozondjupa (2), Kunene (2), Zambezi (3), Kavango West (3), Kavango East (3), ||Karas (3), Hardap (3), Omaheke (3) and Khomas (2).
These earth dams will provide water harvesting capabilities for livestock farmers, particularly in drought-prone regions.
The budget includes the rehabilitation of five existing earth dams in Erongo (1), Otjozondjupa (1), ||Karas (1) and Omaheke (2) regions. During the previous financial year, the Ministry constructed thirty water harvesting structures (earth dams) nationwide.
The Water Supply and Sanitation budget also includes funds to modernize 19 traditional wells, with the Kunene region receiving eight upgrades.
The previous budget period saw three traditional wells modernized in Oshikoto (2) and Omaheke (1). The modernization costs will support communal farming areas where livestock production forms the backbone of local economies.
FARM-LEVEL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
"Forty-five farming units will receive improved water infrastructure nationwide," Zaamwani stated. The budget includes allocations for drilling 24 new boreholes, rehabilitating 35 water points, cleaning 6 boreholes equipped with pumping systems, and installing 10 boreholes.
The previous financial year saw 62% of 667 farming units provided with improved water infrastructure. “In this regard, 24 boreholes were drilled; a 16 km pipeline was constructed in farm Quovadis in the Otjozondjupa Region and 21 boreholes were equipped with solar pumping systems,” said Zaamwani.
SMALL-SCALE DESALINATION AND RURAL PIPELINES
Budget allocations include nine new small-scale desalination plants across the country: Oshikoto (1), Omusati (1), Ohangwena (1), Kunene (1), Otjozondjupa (1), Zambezi (1), Kavango West (1) and Kavango East (2). These installations will provide alternative water sources in areas where groundwater quality affects livestock health.
Two such plants were constructed in the previous financial year at Oshikondeilwa and Akazulu in the Oshikoto Region, with two more sites (Otatashe and Onelago) nearing completion.
Funding is provided for three major rural water supply schemes: Onamatanga, Okanguati-Ohamaremba, and Ozondati-Omatjete Phase II in the Omusati, Kunene, and Erongo Regions respectively. These projects will provide water access to areas previously dependent on sporadic sources.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR FUTURE WATER SUPPLY
The Ministry has allocated funds for feasibility studies on fifteen potential bulk water supply schemes. These include the upgrading of the Etaka-Uuvudhiya-Ekuma-Oponona Ground Canal and numerous regional rural water supply schemes, including the Northern Desalination Plant.
The 2025/2026 budget allocates 63% of the total water budget toward development expenditure. Minister Zaamwani noted that these investments will improve water infrastructure and access for livestock farmers in the coming financial year. “Continued investment in water infrastructure is essential to ensure water security for domestic use, livestock, and industrial development,” said Zaamwani.
This external funding will be used in combination with the government's allocation of N$471,056,000 to the WSSCP of Vote 38, Minister Inge Zaamwani stated in her budget motivation speech on 8 May. The combined N$1,4 billion investment will fund water infrastructure projects benefiting, amongst others, Namibian livestock farmers and rural communities.
N$300 MILLION ALLOCATED TO WATER SUPPLY SECURITY PROJECTS
The Construction of the Water Supply Security Infrastructure Project has received N$300 million (32% of the total water budget). This allocation will fund the Oshakati and Rundu Purification Plants extensions and the proposed Erongo Desalination Plant, which will serve both urban water needs and surrounding agricultural areas.
EARTH DAMS AND TRADITIONAL WELLS TO ENHANCE LIVESTOCK WATER ACCESS
A portion of the N$471 million Water Supply and Sanitation budget is allocated for constructing 33 new earth dams across all regions. The regional distribution includes: Oshikoto (2), Ohangwena (2), Omusati (2), Oshana (2), Erongo (1), Otjozondjupa (2), Kunene (2), Zambezi (3), Kavango West (3), Kavango East (3), ||Karas (3), Hardap (3), Omaheke (3) and Khomas (2).
These earth dams will provide water harvesting capabilities for livestock farmers, particularly in drought-prone regions.
The budget includes the rehabilitation of five existing earth dams in Erongo (1), Otjozondjupa (1), ||Karas (1) and Omaheke (2) regions. During the previous financial year, the Ministry constructed thirty water harvesting structures (earth dams) nationwide.
The Water Supply and Sanitation budget also includes funds to modernize 19 traditional wells, with the Kunene region receiving eight upgrades.
The previous budget period saw three traditional wells modernized in Oshikoto (2) and Omaheke (1). The modernization costs will support communal farming areas where livestock production forms the backbone of local economies.
FARM-LEVEL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
"Forty-five farming units will receive improved water infrastructure nationwide," Zaamwani stated. The budget includes allocations for drilling 24 new boreholes, rehabilitating 35 water points, cleaning 6 boreholes equipped with pumping systems, and installing 10 boreholes.
The previous financial year saw 62% of 667 farming units provided with improved water infrastructure. “In this regard, 24 boreholes were drilled; a 16 km pipeline was constructed in farm Quovadis in the Otjozondjupa Region and 21 boreholes were equipped with solar pumping systems,” said Zaamwani.
SMALL-SCALE DESALINATION AND RURAL PIPELINES
Budget allocations include nine new small-scale desalination plants across the country: Oshikoto (1), Omusati (1), Ohangwena (1), Kunene (1), Otjozondjupa (1), Zambezi (1), Kavango West (1) and Kavango East (2). These installations will provide alternative water sources in areas where groundwater quality affects livestock health.
Two such plants were constructed in the previous financial year at Oshikondeilwa and Akazulu in the Oshikoto Region, with two more sites (Otatashe and Onelago) nearing completion.
Funding is provided for three major rural water supply schemes: Onamatanga, Okanguati-Ohamaremba, and Ozondati-Omatjete Phase II in the Omusati, Kunene, and Erongo Regions respectively. These projects will provide water access to areas previously dependent on sporadic sources.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR FUTURE WATER SUPPLY
The Ministry has allocated funds for feasibility studies on fifteen potential bulk water supply schemes. These include the upgrading of the Etaka-Uuvudhiya-Ekuma-Oponona Ground Canal and numerous regional rural water supply schemes, including the Northern Desalination Plant.
The 2025/2026 budget allocates 63% of the total water budget toward development expenditure. Minister Zaamwani noted that these investments will improve water infrastructure and access for livestock farmers in the coming financial year. “Continued investment in water infrastructure is essential to ensure water security for domestic use, livestock, and industrial development,” said Zaamwani.
