The German Development Bank (KfW) says it has spent N$15 billion in loans and grants to fund projects in Namibia and has pledged to spend a further N$6 billion for future projects.
The projects, which started as far back as 1990 range from road and water infrastructure creation and upgrades as well as nature conservation.
According to the Director of KfW in Namibia Beatrice Lucke, a total amount of N$8.93 billion has been spent so far to complete 62 projects.
These projects include the rehabilitation of the Ondangwa-Oshikango road. An amount of N$201 million was spent on the rehabilitation of the Goreangab wastewater treatment plant, and N$300 million was used for the set up and management of a conservation area in the Bwabwata Mudumu Mamili Parks in the North-East of the country.
The bank further signed an agreement to the tune of N$240 million in December 2018, which was successfully utilised to support private companies in establishing solar photovoltaic infrastructure.
Furthermore, the construction of a state-of-the-art livestock center and farmers market valued at nearly N$24 million was developed on 40,000 hectares of land at Amarika.
Lucke further stated that the bank’s current projects “are mostly aimed at creating infrastructure for different sectors. These projects, valued at N$13 billion, include the construction of a new waste water treatment plant in Windhoek valued at N$ 812 million”.
Meanwhile, “the new second direct portable reformation plant in Namibia will be €40 million. The loan agreement was signed in December last year, so, the budget preparation is now starting,” said Sector Coordinator at KfW Development Bank Marie-Louise Wimo.
The bank also signed agreements with theMinistry Of Finance to finance the restoration of the Gammams and Otjomuise water plants to the value of N$1 Billion, while Namwater signed a loan agreement for water restoration valued at N$2 billion.
Furthermore, a loan of a further N$600 million was also granted to the Development Bank of Namibia in order to address climate change.
The loan will be utilised for the development of climate-related infrastructure projects, including those focused on renewable energy, water, and low-carbon transport.
According to Lucke, “the bank has further pledged funding to the amount N$6 billion for future projects. Amongst these, NamPower will receive a loan of N$1,3 billion for the development of a solar photovoltaic plant with an increased generation capacity of 70MW at Rosh Pinah”.
“The new venture will cost approximately N$1 billion, of which the final contract price will be subject to the competitive bidding process, while the project will be financed through a concessional loan from KfW,” NamPower Managing Director Simson Kahenge Haulofu told The Brief.
