Also known as: AfDB · African Development Bank Group
African Development Bank — multilateral development financier supporting Namibia's water, vocational education, healthcare, and green hydrogen initiatives.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on African Development Bank
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
African Development Bank is owed a large portion of SOE debt
“A large portion of SOE debt is owed to regional and global development banks, like the African Development Bank, the World Bank and KfW Development Bank.”
Public enterprises owe N$9.3 billion in external debtNew Era
African Development Bank (AfDB) is supporting the initiative through funding and technical assistance
“Chief Investment Officer at the African Development Bank (AfDB), Alex Area, said the AFDB is supporting the initiative through funding and technical assistance.”
DBN launches women-focused finance schemeThe Namibian
African Development Bank (AfDB) provided N$400 million in funding for DBN For Her
“The facility is backed by N$400 million in funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs.”
DBN launches N$400 million women-only financing platformNew Era
African Development Bank financed the project through a loan
“The project was financed through a loan from the African Development Bank and represents a strategic investment for the //Kharas and Hardap regions.”
//Kharas embraces N$127m VTCNew Era
African Development Bank provided funding for Namibia Water Sector Support Programme
“government has also accelerated several strategic bulk water development projects under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme (NWSSP), implemented with funding from the African Development Bank.”
Govt expands rural water supply …94 new boreholes, 137 water unitsThe Namibian
African Development Bank supports the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi River Basin
“The exchange forms part of the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi River Basin, supported by the African Development Bank and other international partners.”
Climate pushes Zambezi states to cooperate on waterInformanté
African Development Bank funds Namibia Water Sector Support Programme
“Government has also continued to advance several strategic bulk water projects under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme, which is funded by the African Development Bank.”
Government reports progress in water supply and sanitationThe Namibian
African Development Bank launched N$28.5-billion partnership to overhaul national infrastructure
“The government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday launched a N$28.5-billion partnership designed to overhaul national infrastructure and break the country's dependence on the mining sector.”
N$28.5b blueprint launched to break mining’s gripNew Era
African Development Bank launched N$28.5 billion partnership with Namibian government
“The Namibian government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday launched a N$28.5 billion partnership designed to overhaul national infrastructure and break the country's dependence on the mining sector.”
Nam, AfDB launch industrialisation blueprintThe Namibian
The African Development Bank co-financed the Kazungula Bridge project
“The project was advanced under a co-financing arrangement led by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica), the African Development Bank and other partners.”
SADC bridge eases cargo movementMines and Industries Minister Modestus Amutse has called for urgent implementation of the long-delayed Baynes Binational Hydropower Project, saying Namibia and Angola must accelerate it toward construction to strengthen electricity security and support regional industrial development.
20 October 2026 · New Era →
Mines and Industries Minister Modestus Amutse has called for urgent implementation of the long-delayed Baynes Binational Hydropower Project, saying Namibia and Angola must accelerate it toward construction to strengthen electricity security and support regional industrial development.
20 October 2026 · New Era →
Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse has called for Namibia and Angola to move from feasibility studies to construction of the Baynes Binational Hydropower Project on the Cunene River. The 600MW scheme, whose intergovernmental implementation agreement was signed in November 2024, would supply power equally to both nations through their national utilities.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Southern African Development Community and the African Development Bank have strengthened their strategic partnership to advance regional integration, industrialisation, infrastructure development and sustainable financing, following a Strategic Engagement Mission in Gaborone. SADC's executive secretary emphasised the importance of transforming natural resources into inclusive economic growth through industrialisation and value addition.
14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian government will borrow an additional N$7.1 billion from the domestic financial market instead of foreign sources, increasing domestic borrowing for the 2026/27 financial year from N$20.2 billion to N$27.3 billion while reducing foreign financing from N$9 billion to N$1.9 billion. The shift does not change the government's overall financing requirement of N$29.2 billion.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia faces persistent unemployment, inequality, and skills mismatches that constrain economic diversification and private-sector development, according to IMF assessments. The article argues the country needs a serious strategy to attract skilled Namibians living abroad and retain those already at home.
10 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government's 24% stake in the delayed Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project faces scrutiny as the company's final investment decision has been pushed to the end of 2027. Government officials defend the investment as funded through blended finance, while opposition politicians warn that state costs will mount during further delays.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has handed over newly constructed sanitation facilities at four clinics and one health centre in Kavango West Region under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme, which is supported by the African Development Bank.
26 September 2026 · Informanté →
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy says its 90% local employment target is a flexible goal subject to skills assessments, not a firm commitment. The company is conducting a skills audit to determine whether Namibia has enough skilled workers to meet the target.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
African leaders and development partners called for urgent action to turn the United Nations Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, into measurable results for ordinary Africans. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that Africa seeks fairness and highlighted youth empowerment, financing for development, peace, digital transformation and inclusive growth as key priorities aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063.
24 September 2026 · New Era →
Five health facilities in Kavango West—Kapako Clinic, Mburu-Uru Clinic, Nzinze Clinic, Sharukwe Clinic and Mupini Health Centre—have received newly constructed sanitation facilities under the N$3.3 billion Namibia Water Sector Support Programme, funded by the African Development Bank and the Namibian Government.
24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's interim green hydrogen programme head emphasised at the African Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town that Namibia and South Africa should collaborate to advance green industrialisation, build regional value chains, and position Southern Africa as a competitive global producer of green products.
18 September 2026 · Informanté →
Germany's development commissioner highlighted Namibia's emerging green iron industry as an example of how Africa can use green hydrogen to create local value and support industrialisation rather than export raw resources. Namibia is participating in the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town in September 2026.
16 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Facing drought and climate uncertainty, Namibia is moving away from traditional surface water sources toward desalination, water reclamation, groundwater management, and renewable energy-powered systems. The country's Cabinet Committee on Water Supply Security, established in 2016, has expanded its mandate from securing Windhoek's supply to addressing water challenges across coastal regions and the broader country.
25 July 2026 · Informanté →
The African Development Bank announced N$5.6 billion in funding for Namibia's technical and vocational education and training system and artificial intelligence, with plans to modernise vocational institutions, establish a National Artificial Intelligence Institute, and create 15 000 workplace opportunities by 2030. The Namibian editorial warns that vocational graduates will not be absorbed into the market without fair state tender allocation and faster AI regulation.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Development Bank of Namibia received a US$1 million grant from the Green Climate Fund following its accreditation in 2025, unlocking potential access to up to US$250 million in future climate financing and strengthening Namibia's position in the global green economy.
24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government has scaled down its plans to build an Ondangwa referral hospital, with Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge announcing the project will instead become a 700-bed district hospital. The feasibility study and environmental assessments have been completed, with the AfDB providing financing in collaboration with the ministries of finance and health and social services.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Lawyer Sisa Namandje argues that despite years of empowerment interventions in Namibia—including affirmative action, SME financing, and procurement preferences—many black-owned businesses still struggle to survive beyond founders and political cycles. He highlights how ongoing social pressures, including requests for donations and support from extended networks, undermine the sustainability of black entrepreneurship.
13 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Ambassador Julia Imene-Chaduru led Namibia's delegation to the 2026 Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Seoul, where African and Korean officials agreed to deepen cooperation on trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development, while addressing geopolitical challenges and Africa's role in global supply chains.
8 June 2026 · Informanté →
The SADC renewed the board of directors of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre in Maputo, retaining Namibia's Stanley Ndara as chairperson for a second term. The board's priorities include strengthening the centre's sustainability, reducing donor reliance, and rolling out a Regional Register of Fishing Vessels.
2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Stanley Ndara, chief executive of Namibia's Fisheries Observer Agency, has been reappointed as chairperson of the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre for a second term. SADC ministers responsible for fisheries made the decision at a meeting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on 29 May.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →
According to the African Development Bank, Namibia's economy slowed to 2.6% in 2025 due to weaker mining exports, subdued consumer spending and softer investment, but is projected to rebound to 3.7% in 2026 supported by recovery in mining, manufacturing and electricity production. The bank cautioned that fiscal and external pressures will remain, with the fiscal deficit widening to 3.4% in 2025 from 2.6% in 2024.
9 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The African Development Bank's Electricity Regulatory Index measures how effectively African countries regulate their electricity sectors across governance, regulatory substance, and outcomes. In the 2022 ERI report, Namibia achieved a score of 0.618, placing 13th out of 43 African countries, emerging as one of Africa's most promising regulatory success stories.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to miss the UN's 2030 target for universal access to clean cooking energy, with 900 million people lacking access on the continent. The article argues that closing a US$5.5 billion annual funding gap requires diverse solutions including LPG, solar stoves, and biogas, alongside innovative financing and inclusive policies.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
African airlines are the fastest-growing region in global air cargo, recording 21% year-on-year demand increase in February 2026, with the Africa-Asia route showing particularly strong growth of 61.9%. Despite the momentum, Africa remains a small player at 2.1% of the global market, facing challenges including limited airport infrastructure and high operational costs.
13 April 2026 · New Era →
The government is progressing with a feasibility study on a commuter rail system linking Windhoek to Rehoboth and Katutura, with N$13 million spent and the study 30% complete. The N$2.8 billion project is part of broader government plans to modernise Namibia's rail infrastructure and ease transport pressures in urban and peri-urban areas.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian state-owned enterprises owe N$9.3 billion in external debt, most of it guaranteed by the government and owed to regional and global development banks. The Bank of Namibia's 2025 annual report notes a significant portion relates to intercompany lending in mining and quarrying, with the government aiming to keep debt guarantees below 10% of GDP.
11 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's water ministry has drilled 94 new boreholes, installed 137 water supply units across all regions, and constructed 55 short pipelines with 2,886 private connections, improving water access in underserved rural communities. The ministry also rehabilitated sanitation facilities and increased access to basic sanitation services to 36.2% nationwide, with rural safe drinking water access rising from 83.5% to 84.9%.
2 April 2026 · New Era →
Namibia is investing in improved, drought-tolerant and high-yielding seeds through research stations in Mannheim and Kashana, supported by a partnership between the government and the African Development Bank. The initiative includes crop diversification with new varieties like soybean and cassava, and distribution of improved seeds to farmers at subsidised prices through the Ministry's Extension Services.
29 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Development Bank of Namibia has launched "DBN for Her," a financing initiative designed to increase access to credit for women-owned businesses. The product offers loans at prime interest rate with a 12-month grace period and credit guarantee scheme to address the documented funding gap, with women having received only about 14% of DBN's total funding to date.
26 March 2026 · New Era →
The Development Bank of Namibia has launched DBN For Her, a women-focused financing initiative backed by N$400 million from the African Development Bank, offering loans ranging from N$150,000 to N$10 million to women-owned businesses employing between five and 300 people.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →