Coca-Cola commits N$20m to Swakop Basin water project
Coca-Cola, in partnership with Global Water Challenge and WWF Namibia, has committed US$1.22 million (approximately N$20 million) to a project aimed at strengthening the resilience of the Swakop Basin, an important source of groundwater for Windhoek and surrounding areas in the Khomas, Erongo and Otjozondjupa regions.
The //Gam-i Swakop Basin Resilience Project was officially launched by Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse, on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, at Droombos outside Windhoek on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
Amutse said water security needed to be considered from the outset of development planning, warning that shortages could quickly undermine livelihoods and economic activity. “We must plan for water from the beginning,” he said. “Water shortages quickly affect livelihoods and economic activities. We must use water responsibly and invest in it.”
He thanked Coca-Cola and its partners for setting an example that other businesses in Namibia should follow, describing the initiative as a welcome demonstration of cooperation between government, the private sector, civil society and local communities. “I encourage companies in the industrial sector, in mining and in energy to examine how they use water as part of project design, daily operations and long-term business planning,” he said.
Amutse also called for water management plans to include opportunities for local communities to participate. “Community participation is essential. We all need to own what we are doing, not only at the beginning but throughout the project,” he said.
The project will focus on improving the health of the wider catchment area through nature-based interventions, including invasive plant management, afforestation, aquifer recharge and improved dam management.
Five-year investment
The investment is expected to be spread over five years, according to the ministry. “Water stewardship includes the catchment, the communities and the ecosystems,” Amutse said. “I call on every Namibian to use water with care,” he said before officially declaring the project launched.
Also attending the launch were Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Anselm Marungu, senior hydrologist Dr Victoria Shifidi and senior representatives of the project partners. Among them were Coca-Cola's senior sustainability director, Preola Adam; Global Water Challenge senior water stewardship director Malick Leo Keita; and WWF Namibia country director Dr Juliane Zeidler.
Layla Jeevanantham, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa's chief public affairs, communications and sustainability officer, said the Swakop River Basin was an important water source for Windhoek and surrounding communities.
She said the project would be implemented in collaboration with Global Water Challenge and WWF Namibia.
The planned interventions include constructing two sand-storage dams and restoring 235 hectares of land through the removal of invasive alien plants.
The project will also involve planting 750 trees in river buffer zones and environmentally degraded areas within Windhoek's informal settlements.
In addition, two boreholes will be drilled to support groundwater recharge in the Windhoek aquifer.
The initiative will also develop a resilience action plan for the Swakop River Basin to support long-term water security.
