282 boreholes, 18 earth dams for rural farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has allocated N$215.9 million for decentralised rural water supply and sanitation in the 2026/27 financial year.

The funding will support the drilling of 27 boreholes, the installation of 33 boreholes, the construction of 18 earth dams and the rehabilitation of water infrastructure on resettlement farms. Nine traditional wells will also be modernised under the programme.

Deputy Minister Ruthy Masake presented the budget motivation in the National Assembly earlier in April, outlining a total allocation of N$1.027 billion for Vote 38: Water and Marine Resources. During the 2025/26 financial year, the ministry drilled 94 boreholes, installed 137 and rehabilitated a further 51 across the country. It also constructed 55 water supply pipelines and connected 2 886 private offtake points. Three rural water supply schemes were commissioned: Ozondati–Omatjete in Erongo, Onamatanga in Omusati and Ohamaremba–Okangwati in Kunene.

Masake said Namibia remains one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with growing pressure on water resources driven by urbanisation, agricultural expansion and climate change. The ministry is finalising a Water Pricing Policy to promote affordable and sustainable service delivery. Under the Integrated Water Resources Management programme, N$78.7 million has been allocated for groundwater assessments and the modernisation of hydrological monitoring systems.

The budget statement notes that open defecation remains prevalent, affecting 39.4% of rural households.

An allocation of N$21.3 million has been set aside for the construction of sanitation facilities in rural communities. In the previous financial year, 90 villages were reached through Community-Led Total Sanitation initiatives, while 181 water, sanitation and hygiene awareness campaigns were conducted nationwide.