N$1.5b loan to upgrade water infrastructure
In a major step toward strengthening Namibia’s long-term water security, the Namibian government has signed a N$1.5 billion concessional loan agreement with the German Development Bank (KfW) to fund the second phase of the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme (WSSP II).The agreement was signed by finance minister Ericah Shafudah; NamWater chief executive Abraham Nehemia; and German Ambassador to Namibia, Thorsten Hutter in Windhoek earlier this week.
The funding, provided in local currency through KfW on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will support the construction and rehabilitation of critical water infrastructure, particularly in Namibia’s northern regions. Projects include the development of bulk pipeline systems, expanded distribution networks, and additional water supply schemes under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
“Water security is at the heart of Namibia’s development ambitions,” Nehemia said. “This partnership strengthens our capacity to deliver reliable and sustainable water services. It allows us to accelerate the development of infrastructure vital to meeting current demands and securing future supply.”
Hutter emphasised the importance of the investment: “These projects will boost Namibia’s resilience to droughts by reducing water losses and ensuring a more sustainable supply. Germany is proud to continue its longstanding cooperation with Namibia on critical infrastructure.”
The WSSP II forms part of a broader national effort to secure water for current and future generations. It aligns with targets set in Namibia’s National Development Plans and builds on a history of German development cooperation dating back to 1990.