Justicia Shipena
About 80% of sewer systems across the country’s 59 local authorities cannot support new housing.
This was revealed by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa while presenting his ministry’s 2026/2027 budget in parliament.
“80% of our 59 local authorities’ sewer infrastructure cannot accommodate new housing constructions because of the incapacity of the existing dilapidated sewer infrastructure,” he said.
Sankwasa said ageing infrastructure has become a major barrier to housing delivery and the upgrading of informal settlements.
He said towns such as Okahandja, Rundu, Ongwediva, Oshakati, Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo, Windhoek and Walvis Bay need urgent upgrades to bulk infrastructure, including sewer systems and water treatment plants.
The cost of these upgrades is estimated at N$2.5 billion, which is not funded.
“As a country we need to appreciate that most of our sewer systems… were constructed during the colonial period for a smaller number of residents whose population size has now in some cases tripled,” Sankwasa said.
Despite these challenges, the ministry continues to focus on formalising informal settlements.
Sankwasa said the programme allows residents to obtain title deeds, access credit and enter the formal economy.
“A title deed is more than a legal document; it is a gateway to financial inclusion,” he said.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, the ministry declared 33 townships and started formalising 42 informal settlements in towns including Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Rundu and Oshakati.
He said the ministry did not meet its target to build 3,000 houses due to infrastructure constraints.
The ministry also built 16 communal toilets in informal areas in Windhoek and delivered 2,664 pit latrines across the country.
In rural areas, 235 income-generating projects were supported, reaching more than 2 500 people. Rural development centres also assisted over 240 farmers and entrepreneurs.
Sankwasa said services such as primary healthcare and agricultural support have been decentralised to all 14 regional councils.
The ministry has been allocated N$1.94 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year, down from N$2.67 billion in the previous year.
The operational budget is N$1.2 billion, while N$744.3 million is set aside for development.
“This year’s allocation represents a 16.39% reduction in the operational budget and a 39.66% reduction in the development budget,” Sankwasa said.
He said the ministry will continue to focus on housing, sanitation and local governance.
“This budget is not merely a financial allocation; it is a commitment to restoring dignity, expanding opportunity, and building inclusive communities,” he said.
