The City of Windhoek approved 135 building plans worth N$161.9 million in August 2026, as both the number and value of approvals declined on a monthly and annual basis, according to IJG Securities.
The number of approved plans fell 41.0% from 229 in July and was 16.7% lower than in August 2025. The value of approvals declined 20.3% month-on-month from N$203.2 million and was down 24.2% year-on-year.
IJG said the slowdown was broad-based, with approvals declining across property additions, residential developments, and commercial and industrial projects.
“Overall, building activity in Windhoek moderated in August, with the number and value of approved plans declining on both a monthly and annual basis,” IJG said.
Residential developments accounted for the largest share of approvals by value during the month, with 35 plans worth a combined N$92.2 million approved.
Property additions accounted for 94 approvals valued at N$40.7 million, while six commercial and industrial projects worth N$29.1 million were approved.
Despite the weaker August figures, residential developments and property additions remained ahead of last year’s levels on a year-to-date basis.
By the end of August, 252 residential plans worth N$533.4 million had been approved, with the value up 8.9% compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Property additions approved during the first eight months of the year were valued at N$463.4 million, up 7.6% year-on-year.
Commercial and industrial approvals, however, remained sharply below 2025 levels. Approvals in the category totalled N$152.4 million during the first eight months of 2026, down 66.8% from N$459.2 million over the same period last year.
Overall, building plans worth N$1.15 billion were approved during the first eight months of 2026, compared with N$1.38 billion during the corresponding period of 2025.
Building completions also slowed in August, with 17 buildings valued at N$21.3 million completed, down from 23 buildings worth N$33.6 million in July.
The value of completed buildings declined 36.6% month-on-month and 26.9% year-on-year.
Residential completions accounted for seven buildings valued at N$9.7 million, while 10 additions to existing properties worth N$11.6 million were completed during the month.
No commercial or industrial buildings were completed in August, extending the sector’s run without a completion to six consecutive months.
“While these projects generally have long construction lead times, the current stretch represents the longest consecutive period without a completion since 2021,” IJG said.
Year-to-date, only one commercial or industrial project valued at N$3.0 million has been completed, compared with three projects worth N$45.2 million during the same period in 2025.
Despite the weaker August performance, the overall value of completed buildings remained above last year’s level. Buildings worth N$330.9 million were completed during the first eight months of 2026, up 27.8% from N$259.0 million over the same period in 2025.
Residential completions contributed N$219.3 million, up 36.3% year-on-year, while completed property additions were valued at N$79.5 million, an increase of 50.3%.
“The prolonged absence of commercial and industrial completions, together with the decline in approval values, points to a moderation in construction activity,” IJG said.
