Namibia
By Natalie Naidoo
Namibia has pledged to scale up investments in water and sanitation infrastructure through domestic financing, concessional loans, grants and private partnerships to ensure universal access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Speaking at the African Union-Africa Water Investment Programme summit in Cape Town, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani highlighted the urgent need to address gaps in water infrastructure to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals. The country aims to turn water challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.
Namibia’s Commitment at AU-AIP Summit in Cape Town
At the African Union-Africa Water Investment Programme summit held from 13 to 15 August 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Namibia outlined bold plans to enhance water security across the continent. Minister Inge Zaamwani addressed a plenary session on investment commitments, stressing that scaling up efforts is vital for Africa to achieve the vision of Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want.” She noted that water investments are essential not just for drinking and sanitation, but also for food security, climate resilience, and economic progress.
“We acknowledge that there remain significant gaps in water infrastructure investment and that rapid solutions are urgently needed if Namibia and Africa at large are to achieve the UN Sustainable Developments Goals,” Zaamwani said. The summit, convened during South Africa’s historic G20 Presidency—the first on African soil—brought together over 2,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, investors, and experts. It focused on accelerating water and sanitation investments to close a yearly funding gap of at least US$30 billion, promoting public-private partnerships and innovative financing.
Zaamwani emphasised the need for strong governance, institutional reforms, and operational improvements to draw private sector funds. “Attracting private sector investment into the water [sector]… to close the targeted gap of at least 30 billion USD per year requires robust governance frameworks, institutional strengthening, operational efficiency and regulatory reforms as critical enabling conditions for investors,” she explained. The event showcased a pipeline of investable projects, aiming to unlock billions in funding for water schemes across Africa.
Tackling Water Scarcity in Namibia’s Arid Landscape
Namibia, known for its vast deserts and dramatic scenery like the Namib Desert and Etosha National Park, is one of the driest nations in sub-Saharan Africa. With an average annual rainfall below 300mm in many areas, the country battles severe water shortages worsened by climate change, droughts, and population growth. Over 40% of its people lack access to improved sanitation, and rural communities often rely on unreliable groundwater or long-distance hauling, leading to health risks and economic strain.
Despite these hurdles, Zaamwani affirmed Namibia’s determination to innovate. “We recognise that water security is inseparable from food security, energy security, public health, tourism and economic competitiveness. For this reason, Namibia approaches water investment not as an isolated sectoral issue, but as a driver of national development and regional integration,” she said. The pledge aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6, targeting universal water and sanitation by 2030, and builds on Namibia’s National Water Policy, which promotes conservation and equitable distribution.
The country has made strides, such as the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek, one of the world’s first to recycle wastewater for drinking. However, challenges persist, including ageing pipelines, contamination from mining, and transboundary issues with shared rivers like the Orange and Kunene. Scaling up investments aims to modernise systems, expand desalination, and improve wastewater treatment, benefiting urban centres like Windhoek and rural villages alike.
Specific Investments and Partnerships Announced
Zaamwani revealed that Namibia’s Cabinet has approved dedicating 5% of the national budget to water and sanitation. Under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, N$2.8 billion (about US$150 million) will fund rural water supply schemes and sanitation facilities for underserved areas, focusing on boreholes, pipelines, and community toilets to reduce open defecation.
Additionally, Namibia has secured N$4 billion in concessional loans from the African Development Bank and other development banks for the next mid-term period. “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,” she said. These funds will support upgrades to dams, canals, and treatment plants, enhancing supply reliability amid recurring droughts.
A highlight is the joint initiative with South Africa: a US$2.5 million feasibility study for the proposed Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift Dam on the Orange River, estimated at US$231 million to build. “We are hoping to attract investor interest. The project is important for long-term water security for social and economic development of the two nations and the Ecological Water Requirements in the Lower Orange River,” Zaamwani noted. The dam could store water for irrigation, hydropower, and domestic use, while maintaining river ecosystems.
Namibia also plans a coastal desalination plant via public-private partnership to supply the mining sector—key to the economy with uranium and diamonds—and coastal towns like Swakopmund. This will ease pressure on groundwater, promoting sustainability in arid regions. The government seeks grants and investments from international bodies like the Green Climate Fund to finance these eco-friendly projects.
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