
The Namibian government has committed N$137 million to construct 3,106 houses for low-income citizens. This initiative, funded by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and implemented by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, aims to address the country鈥檚 housing backlog and improve living conditions. Special adviser to the minister Boniface Mutumba confirmed the project's scale. This housing effort comes despite a reduction in the ministry's budget for the 2026/27 financial year, which saw its allocation cut to N$1.95 billion from N$2.67 billion. Of this, N$587.9 million is designated for housing and urban development programs. The government is also focusing on declaring townships in informal settlements, servicing land, and completing stalled units under the Mass Housing Development Programme, which faced delays due to legal disputes since 2017. Efforts are also underway to formalize informal settlements in key urban centers like Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Rundu, Keetmanshoop, and Oshakati, among others. The strategy includes easing congestion, expanding access to serviced land, and partnering with community-based organizations. Additionally, the ministry is promoting alternative and sustainable building materials to reduce construction costs.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadA recent Namibia Statistics Agency Financial Inclusion Survey indicates that 51.3% of Namibia's working population borrows money to purchase food. The survey found that 546,000 working Namibians lack disposable income and rely on debt for basic needs, with 295,000 of these earning less than N$2,000 monthly. Borrowing for education and daily transport also features prominently. NSA statistician general Alex Shimuafeni noted an increase in borrowing from 42.1% in 2017 to 49% in 2025. Economists highlight this trend as a sign of deeper economic issues, suggesting structural failures rather than temporary hardship. Economist Dirk Haarmann stated that borrowing for recurring costs like food, which does not generate future income, points to an economy failing to provide sufficient income for basic needs. Economist Claudia Haarmann warned that this situation has led to the growth of an industry profiting from people's desperation, creating a cycle of debt. Economist Jesaya Hano-Oshike added that borrowing for food indicates exhausted financial safety nets and structural weaknesses in the labor market, emphasizing that credit should foster investment, not merely survival. He suggested that addressing the crisis requires more than temporary relief, advocating for government and private sector collaboration to remove investment barriers and diversify the economy. While the Basic Income Grant Coalition of Namibia proposes a universal income grant of N$500 monthly, Hano-Oshike believes s
Must ReadA new government report in Namibia reveals that girls consistently experienced higher rates of reported violence than boys between 2014 and 2023. The Namibia Child Care and Protection Statistics Report, launched by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, indicates an annual average of 1,252 cases of violence against girls compared to 711 for boys during this period. Minister Emma Kantema stated the report provides evidence on cases handled by social workers and the services provided to children in need of care and protection, emphasizing its role in strengthening interventions. The data covers various forms of violence, including kidnapping, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and trafficking. The highest number of reported cases for girls was 1,698 in 2023, while the lowest was 677 in 2021. A decline in reported cases between 2019 and 2021 may be attributed to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker suggests the gender disparity could be linked to social norms that increase girls' vulnerability to certain abuses, such as sexual violence and exploitation, while cases involving boys might be under-reported due to stigma. He recommends stronger child protection systems, safe reporting spaces, and community programs to address harmful gender norms. German Neumbo, chairperson of the education and information and communication technology committee for the children鈥檚 parliament, highlighted the need for effective implementati

Fatima Mustapha, an award-winning tech innovator, is dedicated to empowering women and youth in Nigeria to address climate change through technology and sustainable practices. Witnessing the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, she co-founded the Future Prowess Foundation in 2007. The foundation focuses on bridging inequality gaps by providing access to digital skills, climate education, and economic opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and refugees. Mustapha's approach integrates green farming, digital empowerment, and innovative agricultural solutions, including training in climate-smart agriculture and advancing plant tissue culture to improve crop yield and resilience. She has trained over 500 women in digital skills, recognizing technology's role in unlocking economic opportunities. Despite challenges like limited technical infrastructure and reliance on traditional farming methods, Mustapha emphasizes building trust, continuous training, and demonstrating concrete impacts. Her work has shown positive results in communities across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno state, where demonstration farms helped overcome initial resistance to modern farming techniques. Mustapha aims to scale this integrated approach across Nigeria and Africa, fostering a network of youth-led, technology-driven climate solutions.