OM grows Namibia’s domestic investment portfolio
Through its Domestic Investment Portfolio, Old Mutual’s Alternative Investment function has committed itself to addressing the critical development challenges faced throughout the country.Domestic investments can ensure that Namibian savings are effectively utilised to stimulate development by making a meaningful contribution to the economy and the developmental needs of communities through funds managed by Old Mutual’s Alternative Investment function.
Through the funds it manages, Old Mutual Namibia has been able to make considerable differences within the spheres of housing, renewable energy, education, and health, having been a trusted partner in funding various housing development projects, sourccing more than N$550 million for a new Infrastructure Fund.
This enabled the company to invest more than N$200 million in land servicing projects in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Otavi and Walvis Bay. A further N$300 million for combined land servicing and affordable housing were invested in:
• Otjiwarongo (300 erven developed and 292 houses to be delivered);
• Rundu (116 erven and currently more than 32 housing units delivered); and,
• Mariental (56 erven and 206 houses to be delivered).
Previous land delivery initiatives were successfully delivered and already exited in Walvis Bay and Windhoek
Commercial property
Commercial properties of over N$650 million were deployed in Windhoek, Rehoboth, Keetmanshoop, Arandis, Grootfontein, Ondangwa and Oshikango.
“Our investments in myriad bankable projects, particularly in the housing and infrastructural development space, seek to balance commercial returns with a positive social impact. Our track record is a testament to the fact that attractive returns and a positive impact are not mutually exclusive,” says Lionel Kannemeyer, managing director of the Old Mutual Investment Group.
In terms of the renewable energy sector, Kannemeyer says that they are cognizant of the need for additional power generation to service the needs of both communities and industry. “Currently we are invested in six renewable assets with a combined power generation capacity in excess of 25 MW, which feeds into the national power grid. These are located from Rosh Pinah, Keetmanshoop and Rehoboth in the south to Grootfontein, Otavi and Okatope in the north of Namibia.
“Human capital investment is another critical component of any country’s socio-economic growth and future; therefore, we have endeavoured to invest in various schools and institutions of learning to the tune of approximately N$70 million for projects which are located in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, and even so far as Nkurenkuru,” Kannemeyer adds.
In terms of healthcare, Old Mutual has funded medical infrastructure to the value of some N$30 million which was developed and invested in Rehoboth and Ondangwa.
“We have developed investment structures which are flexible enough to fit local circumstances and evolve over time as the local market circumstance develops. Old Mutual values the importance of domestic investment and continues to raise funds from pension funds to support and fund developments that not only improve the socio-economic development of the country but also ensures that sustainable Return on Investment goals are met,” Kannemeyer concludes.