Namibia's rapid urbanization challenges land management and infrastructure development

A national baseline report identified 419 informal settlements in Namibia's 57 local authorities, with Windhoek accounting for over a third. More than 60% of these settlements are unsurveyed, preventing formal registration and secure tenure for residents. This lack of formalization hinders municipalities from planning infrastructure, installing services, and integrating these communities into urban systems.

The report highlights that 98.3% of informal settlements are on land owned by local authorities, indicating municipalities are central to managing urban land. Challenges include the slow implementation of the Flexible Land Tenure Act, which aims to provide affordable land rights, and weak coordination among institutions responsible for land management. The Namibia Housing Information System, a new national dataset, offers a tool for monitoring settlement growth and informing policy.

However, data alone is insufficient; coordinated land management systems, financial resources, and skilled professionals are crucial. As urbanization continues, Namibia must prioritize structured urban growth and integrate land management into national development conversations to build inclusive and resilient towns.