Namibia is increasingly turning to alternative building technologies as part of efforts to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing and address the rapid expansion of informal settlements across the country.
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa said government is seeking partnerships with companies specialising in alternative construction methods to support the rollout of low-cost housing.
Speaking during the induction of local and regional authority leaders in Mariental, Sankwasa said innovative building technologies could play a critical role in improving housing delivery and reducing construction costs.
He urged companies specialising in alternative and precast building technologies to work with government in addressing the country’s housing backlog.
“We must acknowledge that informal settlements need to be eradicated across our local authorities in order to provide decent accommodation for our citizens. Companies specialising in alternative building technologies and precast construction should partner with government to support the provision of housing for those in need,” he said.
Sankwasa noted that while legislation already empowers local and regional authorities to participate directly in housing construction and infrastructure development, many councils remain heavily dependent on annual budget allocations from central government.
He said local authorities must take a more proactive approach in initiating housing projects and leveraging partnerships that can accelerate delivery.
Government is also seeking to address land market distortions that have pushed the cost of urban housing beyond the reach of many Namibians.
According to the ministry, serviced government land within municipal areas will no longer be auctioned or sold to private investors whose primary objective is to construct houses for resale. Instead, such land will be reserved for investors planning to develop business complexes that can generate both temporary and permanent employment.
Officials say the policy aims to curb land speculation, which has significantly inflated urban land prices in recent years.
In some cases, investors have reportedly acquired land from local authorities at between N$16 and N$40 per square metre and later resold it at prices ranging from N$600 to N$800 per square metre. The sharp increase in land prices has contributed to the rising cost of housing and the growth of informal settlements in urban areas.
Sankwasa said many residents of informal settlements are working Namibians in lower and middle income groups, including police officers, teachers, security guards, cleaners, labourers and administrative staff, whose earnings are insufficient to afford formal housing.
He said government’s housing strategy must therefore focus on expanding access to affordable housing for working households.
The ministry also emphasised that housing development must be accompanied by adequate infrastructure, including water supply, electricity, sanitation and effective waste management systems.
According to Sankwasa, improving urban infrastructure and service delivery is essential not only for housing development but also for public health, particularly in preventing diseases linked to poor sanitation and living conditions.
The minister also raised concerns about deteriorating service delivery in some local authorities, pointing to poorly maintained roads and inadequate waste management systems in certain towns.
He urged municipal councils to prioritise infrastructure maintenance and essential services in order to improve living conditions for residents. “Namibians require reliable infrastructure such as water, electricity, sanitation and clean environments to prevent diseases and improve quality of life. Families must be able to live with dignity and raise their children in environments that offer hope,” Sankwasa said
