The government is unable to add new beneficiaries to the Conditional Basic Income Grant (CBIG) programme after its previous funding source was depleted, even as more than 27,000 beneficiaries continue to receive monthly support.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare said new registrations can only proceed once additional funding is secured through the appropriate budget allocation.
“At present, the previous funding source from Disaster Risk Management under the Office of the Prime Minister has been depleted,” the ministry said.
The funding constraint comes as the government paid N$16.279 million to 27,132 CBIG beneficiaries in September 2026, with each beneficiary receiving N$600.
The ministry said registration can only resume once the necessary funding has been secured. Previously excluded applicants will be able to register provided they meet the eligibility requirements and their household status, residence and income can be verified.
The CBIG is targeted at extremely poor households in urban and peri-urban areas and is structured as a household-based intervention rather than an individual social grant.
“The CBIG is not an individual grant, but a household-based intervention aimed at supporting extremely poor households in urban and peri-urban areas,” the ministry said.
Eligibility generally applies to beneficiaries aged between 18 and 59 in households with no income other than children’s grants. Households receiving old-age or disability grants are excluded.
The September payment schedule shows Khomas accounted for the largest share of beneficiaries, with 11,993 people receiving about N$7.2 million. This represented 44.2% of the national beneficiary total.
Kavango East followed with 1,995 beneficiaries receiving about N$1.2 million, while //Karas recorded 1,781 beneficiaries receiving N$1.07 million.
Hardap had 1,654 beneficiaries receiving N$992,400, while Kavango West recorded 1,560 beneficiaries and a payout of N$936,000.
Omaheke had 1,306 beneficiaries, Omusati 1,217, Kunene 1,159, Erongo 1,085, Zambezi 989, Oshikoto 874, Otjozondjupa 617, Ohangwena 469 and Oshana 433.
