馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Namibia faces housing shortage amid rapid urbanization and limited supply
via The Namibian6 min read
Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is experiencing significant pressure on its housing market due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and a limited housing supply. The shortage is particularly acute in the residential rental market, where demand for affordable and middle-income housing far exceeds availability. This has led to increased competition among tenants and rising rental prices, making housing less affordable for many Namibians. Challenges include limited serviced land, high development costs, and slow expansion of housing. An example is the Otjomuise Extension 10 Mass Housing Development Project, where 362 units remained unoccupied due to delays and disputes, highlighting issues with traditional government-led housing models. A potential solution lies in developing a stronger market for residential-real estate investment trusts R-reits. R-reits pool capital from investors to fund income-generating real estate assets, offering a way to expand housing supply and create investment opportunities. While Reits are established globally, Namibia's market is underdeveloped and primarily focused on commercial properties. Expanding into residential-focused R-reits could mobilize capital from institutional investors, pension funds, and private investors for rental housing development. South Africa's Reit market, one of Africa's largest, demonstrates how a well-regulated framework can support property market development. Namibia currently has only two listed Reits, presenting an
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibia is awaiting South Africa to enact enabling legislation, anticipated by mid-2027, to facilitate the mutual transfer of sentenced prisoners between the two nations. Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Service, Raphael Hamunyela, stated that Namibia has finalized its part of the agreement, but South Africa currently lacks the domestic law required for such transfers. The South African government announced that its Ministry of Correctional Services signed an agreement on cooperation with Namibia, similar to a recent one with Botswana, to advance interstate prisoner transfers. However, transfers will only commence once the necessary legislation is in place, with proposed amendments to the Correctional Services Act currently under review. South Africa's Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, and Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, signed the agreement during the fourth session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission. This framework also includes technical cooperation in areas like training and exchange of best practices. The South African ministry noted that foreign nationals often prefer to serve sentences in their home countries for rehabilitation, and such transfers could ease budgetary pressure. Namibia already has transfer arrangements with Angola and Botswana. As of February 17, 465 foreign nationals, including 450 from the SADC region, are detained in Namibian prisons, contributin
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has declared that the era of 'business as usual' for rural development is over, urging regional councils to enhance project implementation and ensure public resources yield measurable community benefits. This message was delivered by deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele at the 2026 Annual Rural Development Progress Review and Planning Workshop in Swakopmund. Sankwasa expressed concern over incomplete projects, unspent development funds, and idle rural development centers, viewing these as missed opportunities that erode public trust. He emphasized that future resource allocation will prioritize regional councils demonstrating sound planning, innovation, and effective implementation. Infrastructure projects, including schools, community facilities, and water schemes, must be durable and provide lasting benefits, with public servants upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency. Regional councils are responsible for timely project completion and full utilization of allocated funds to improve Namibian lives. Sankwasa noted the ministry's N$10 million allocation for food-for-work and cash-for-work initiatives this financial year, aimed at providing temporary income support and strengthening vulnerable households' resilience. The workshop coincides with the government's review of the national rural development policy and strategy, offering stakeholders a platform to exchange ideas and
Paratus Namibia is providing satellite internet to the Desert Lion Conservation Trust's DLCT research station at M枚we Bay, located in the Skeleton Coast area, to aid in monitoring Namibia's desert-adapted lions. The DLCT has been tracking these lions in north-western Namibia for two decades, with fewer than 100 believed to remain. These lions traverse extensive areas, including communal farming land, occasionally leading to conflicts with people and livestock. The trust collaborates with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and local partners to mitigate these conflicts and safeguard both the lions and farming communities. The satellite connection at M枚we Bay enables researchers to communicate with field teams, share information, and coordinate conservation efforts. At the base camp, researchers process tracking data from collared lions and maintain contact with lion rangers in areas like Purros and Sesfontein. The tracking system issues alerts when collared lions enter areas where they might encounter livestock, allowing rangers to respond swiftly and prevent conflict. Paratus Group chief development officer Barney Harmse stated that this initiative is about enabling conservation and ensuring the DLCT's work remains vital and effective. DLCT founder Flip Stander emphasized the importance of reliable communication for researchers working in remote areas, stating it allows for coordinated work, effective data management, and support for rangers.