Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Ministry of Works and Transport

Also known as: the Ministry of Works and Transport

Government ministry overseeing roads, transport infrastructure, and public transport regulation in Namibia, currently expanding EV charging networks and dual carriageways while managing road safety.

2023-07-252026-06-08

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. June 2026
  2. Informanté

    Ministry of Works and Transport drove initiative to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety

    Source

    The initiative, driven by the Ministry of Works and Transport, is intended to reduce vehicle speeds, improve driver alertness and enhance pedestrian safety in high-risk areas.

    First accident reported at new B1 Western Bypass speed humps
  3. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Works and Transport launched pilot electric vehicle charging station at headquarters

    Source

    The Ministry of Works and Transport on Thursday launched a pilot electric vehicle (EV) charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, a move the government says could pave the way for a nationwide charging network as Namibia prepares for increased adoption of electric vehicles.

    Govt eyes national EV charging network
  4. The Namibian

    Ministry of Works and Transport installed an electric vehicle charging station at its headquarters

    Source

    The government has installed an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at the Ministry of Works and Transport head office in Windhoek as part of a pilot project aimed at assessing the feasibility of a nationwide charging network.

    Govt launches electric vehicle charging station pilot
  5. May 2026
  6. The Namibian

    Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia

    Source

    The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia to reduce road accidents and improve transport efficiency and economic activity.

    Govt plans dual carriageways for high-risk roads
  7. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Works and Transport approved 15% fare increase after consultations with Road Transportation Board

    Source

    The Ministry of Works and Transport approved the 15% fare increase after consultations with the Road Transportation Board of Namibia following complaints from operators over fuel and maintenance costs.

    New taxi fare brings little relief outside Windhoek
  8. The Namibian

    Ministry of Works and Transport plans to cancel the lease agreement with Shapumba

    Source

    This comes as the Ministry of Works and Transport told The Namibian on Wednesday that it plans to cancel the lease agreement with Shapumba.

    Government moves to cancel N$1.1m monthly lease for unoccupied Chicco building
  9. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Works and Transport signed a lease agreement in December 2023 on behalf of the education ministry with Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba's City Place and Property Management (Pty) Ltd

    Source

    The lease agreement, signed in December 2023 between the Ministry of Works and Transport on behalf of the education ministry and Shapumba's City Place and Property Management (Pty) Ltd, has cost the state about N$1.1 million per month since 2024 for a building that remains empty and is allegedly unsuitable for office use.

    Education ministry wants out of Chicco building deal …as it pays N$1.1 million monthly for empty building
  10. Informanté

    Ministry of Works and Transport announced 15% increase in taxi and bus fares effective 18 May 2026

    Source

    THE Ministry of Works and Transport has announced a 15% increase in taxi and bus fares in Namibia, increasing taxi fares from N$13.00 to N$15.00 effective 18 May 2026.

    Taxi prices to increase to N$15.00 effective 18 May 2026
  11. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Works and Transport approved 15% public transport fare increase

    Source

    Public transport fares will increase by 15% nationwide from 18 May 2026 following approval by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

    Public transport fares to rise by 15%
  12. New Era

    Ministry of Works and Transport recently installed floating bridges across oshanas leading to Shingunguma Primary School in Ongenga constituency

    Source

    To address flood-related access challenges, the Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with regional leadership, recently installed floating bridges across oshanas leading to Shingunguma Primary School in Ongenga constituency.

    Ohangwena targets saline water treatment
Society

First accident reported at B1 Western Bypass speed humps

The News

A vehicle collision was reported on newly installed speed humps along the B1 Western Bypass in Windhoek on Sunday evening, shortly after the traffic-calming measures became operational. The incident has fueled ongoing debate over the effectiveness and safety of the speed humps, which authorities say are necessary to curb speeding and address pedestrian-related crashes.

Why it matters

First accident on newly installed B1 Western Bypass speed humps raises immediate safety questions about traffic-calming infrastructure.

8 hours ago · Informanté

Today

  1. First accident reported at B1 Western Bypass speed humps

    A vehicle collision was reported on newly installed speed humps along the B1 Western Bypass in Windhoek on Sunday evening, shortly after the traffic-calming measures became operational. The incident has fueled ongoing debate over the effectiveness and safety of the speed humps, which authorities say are necessary to curb speeding and address pedestrian-related crashes.

    8 hours ago · Informanté

  2. Government launches EV charging pilot as part of nationwide rollout strategy

    The Ministry of Works and Transport launched a pilot electric vehicle charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, with Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi describing it as a strategic pilot project intended to inform the expansion of an EV charging network across the country. The ministry, which manages government-owned infrastructure, plans to eventually serve both government fleet vehicles and the public.

    12 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 4 June

  1. Government launches EV charging station pilot at ministry headquarters

    The Ministry of Works and Transport has installed an electric vehicle charging station at its Windhoek headquarters as a pilot project to assess the feasibility of a nationwide charging network. The facility, designed by ministry engineers, will serve as a case study to guide future EV charging infrastructure deployment across the country, initially targeting government-owned vehicles and government employees before expanding to the public.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 25 May

  1. Government plans dual carriageways on high-risk roads

    The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia to reduce road accidents and improve transport efficiency. The government will start construction of the Usakos-Arandis dual-carriageway this year, prioritising key roads with heavy traffic volumes and accident records including Windhoek-Okahandja, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Councillor calls for national emergency declaration on road deaths

    An Otavi Constituency councillor has tabled a motion in the National Council urging the government to declare road crash fatalities a national emergency. Between January and April 2026, the MVA Fund recorded 921 crashes, 1,467 injuries and 143 deaths, with recent fatal collisions killing eight and ten people respectively.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 19 May

  1. New N$15 taxi fare provides limited relief outside Windhoek

    Taxi drivers in smaller towns like Katima Mulilo say the new N$15 nationwide fare increase, which took effect yesterday, offers little benefit to them as commuters refuse to pay full fares and negotiate lower prices. Drivers in smaller towns report being forced to accept below-approved payments to avoid conflict with passengers.

    19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Monday 18 May

  1. Government plans to cancel Chicco building lease agreement

    The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to cancel a lease agreement with businessman Erastus Shapumba for a building the government rents for N$1.1 million per month but does not occupy. Shapumba says he did not draft the lease agreement, which was signed in December 2023 for a three-year term, and argues his rental rate of N$99 per square metre is cheaper than other private buildings.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Parliamentarians urge road upgrades due to infrastructure decline

    National Council members raised concerns that deteriorating road infrastructure contributes to vehicle damage, rising transport costs, and road accidents, with specific complaints about poor conditions in Kavango East, Kavango West, and the Maltahöhe-Walvis Bay route. The Ministry of Works and Transport's budget was N$2.74 billion for the current financial year.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Yango spends N$1.3m on permit fees amid compliance row

    Ride-hailing company Yango Namibia has submitted about 1,500 permit applications and spent N$1.3 million on temporary operating permit fees while navigating administrative delays. The Ministry of Works and Transport has threatened action if Yango and its drivers do not comply with regulations.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 11 May

  1. Education ministry seeks to cancel costly empty building lease

    The Ministry of Education has sought legal advice to cancel a lease agreement for an unoccupied Independence Avenue building that has cost the state N$1.1 million monthly since 2024. The building, leased from northern businessman Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba since December 2023, was found unsuitable for office use and remains empty.

    11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 7 May

  1. Taxi fares rise 15% to N$15.00 from May 2026

    The Ministry of Works and Transport has approved a 15% increase in taxi and bus fares, raising taxi fares from N$13.00 to N$15.00 effective 18 May 2026, in response to rising fuel prices and operational costs cited by transport operators.

    7 May 2026 · Informanté

  2. Public transport fares to rise 15% nationwide from May 2026

    Public transport fares will increase by 15% nationwide from 18 May 2026, raising the minimum taxi fare from N$13 to N$15, following approval by the Ministry of Works and Transport. The increase cites rising fuel prices and geopolitical tensions, and comes after the Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association requested a 30% increase.

    7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. Government drives regional sports facilities development across Namibia

    The Namibia Planning Commission is coordinating with the Ministries of Finance and Education to develop and upgrade sport facilities across all regions, with a goal of ensuring every Namibian has access to quality sporting infrastructure by 2030. The initiative aims to professionalise sport and create employment and development opportunities for youth.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Ohangwena plans desalination at 10 boreholes for saline water

    Ohangwena region aims to install desalination plants at least 10 boreholes to treat saline water that has made many government-drilled boreholes unusable. Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said a contractor was appointed in April by NamPower, with implementation expected within four months, as part of broader interventions to improve water security across the region.

    6 May 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Road linking Omulonu to Oshuuli officially opened

    The Minister of Works and Transport and Ohangwena Region Governor officially opened the 23 km district road D4119 from Omulonu to Oshuuli on 24 April 2026, funded through Namibian-German Development Cooperation at a contract value of N$53 million. The all-year-round road connects two schools, a heritage centre, and more than 2,000 people in a previously sandy-track area.

    5 May 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 3 May

  1. Roads Authority warns motorists after fatal crashes over long weekend

    The Roads Authority has expressed concern over a surge in fatal road accidents during the long weekend that includes Workers' Day and Cassinga Day, extending condolences to families of victims and urging motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations.

    3 May 2026 · Informanté

  2. Roads Authority appeals for safe driving after long weekend crashes

    The Roads Authority says multiple fatalities and injuries were recorded during the long weekend covering Workers' Day and Cassinga Day, and has urged motorists to drive responsibly, obey traffic rules, avoid speeding and drunk driving.

    3 May 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 2 May

  1. Namibia, Zambia, DRC introduce 90-cent cargo levy

    Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have jointly launched a user-pays principle levy of 90 cents per tonne on all cross-border cargo along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridor, effective 1 April. The levy is intended to address infrastructure gaps, border inefficiencies and procedural bottlenecks while funding sustainable maintenance and operations.

    2 May 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 27 April

  1. Government orders Nida to transfer 154 assets worth N$3 billion

    The Namibia Industrial Development Agency is fighting a government directive to transfer 154 properties worth about N$3 billion to a new Public Asset Management Agency, warning that the assets are central to its funding and operations. The transfer, allegedly mandated by Cabinet as part of state asset restructuring, has raised fears about job losses and the agency's existence.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 22 April

  1. US nuclear aircraft carrier transits Namibia's exclusive economic zone

    The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs confirmed that the USS George HW Bush, a US nuclear-powered super aircraft carrier, is transiting in Namibia's exclusive economic zone under international maritime law without entering territorial waters. The vessel is sailing under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation, and is en route around the African continent to avoid heightened activity in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Government cites budget limits, opts for floating bridges

    Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi says the government lacks funds to build permanent bridges in flood-prone regions including Zambezi, Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati, and is instead deploying floating bridges as a temporary solution. The ministry has purchased 24,640 double floating cubes totalling N$24 million, with bridges already installed or under construction at Kalimbeza and Masikili villages to restore access to schools and essential services during seasonal flooding.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 17 April

  1. Yango drivers struggle as permit approvals stall for months

    Yango says drivers face income loss due to prolonged permit approval delays from the Roads Authority, with some waiting up to 12 months despite submitting required documentation and fees. The company calls on the Ministry of Works and Transport to streamline the process and allow compliant drivers to work while applications are processed.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 16 April

  1. Floating bridges installed in Zambezi flood-affected areas

    The government has installed floating bridges in Kalimbeza and Masikili in Zambezi region to help flood-affected communities safely access schools and clinics. The Ministry of Works and Transport procured 24,640 double floating cubes at a cost of N$24 million to provide rapid access to areas that become isolated during seasonal flooding, with more installations planned for other affected areas.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Otesa denies sidelining SME partners on Opuwo-Otjivize road project

    Main contractor Otesa Civil Engineering denies accusations from 15 SME subcontractors that they were excluded from the Opuwo-Otjivize road upgrade project; Otesa and the Roads Authority confirm SMEs were invited to a briefing and groundbreaking ceremony in November 2025 and maintain that their partnership is contractually secured, though actual construction has not begun pending budget resolution.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 10 April

  1. Zambezi region records quiet Easter despite ongoing floods

    The Zambezi region experienced an unusually calm Easter weekend with few serious incidents reported, according to Commissioner Andreas Shilelo. Although flooding continues in parts of the region with displaced learners still being accommodated at temporary compounds, police have not recorded any deaths or major flood-related incidents, though the commissioner flagged deteriorating road conditions around Kongola as a safety concern.

    10 April 2026 · New Era

  2. Independence Stadium feasibility study approved by CAF

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that the feasibility study for upgrading Windhoek's Independence Stadium has been approved following consultations with the Confederation of African Football, with Namibia now awaiting a detailed report outlining the next steps to bring it to international standards. The government has also identified 121 community sports facility sites nationwide and decentralised construction responsibility to regional governors.

    10 April 2026 · New Era

Thursday 9 April

  1. Namibia urged to finalize ocean policies before 2026 conference

    Marine expert Rod Braby has urged Namibia to finalize its Blue Economy Policy, complete marine spatial planning, and accede to the High Seas Treaty ahead of the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Kenya. Braby noted that Namibia currently has only 1.6% of its exclusive economic zone under marine protected area management, though the government has committed to increasing this to 11% within two years.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Zambezi flood-affected schools resume classes at new sites

    Three flood-affected schools in Kabbe North and Kabbe South have relocated approximately 528 learners to higher ground in Luhonono and Lusese, with classes resuming on Tuesday. The Ministry of Works and Transport assisted with the relocation using larger and smaller boats, and learners will be accommodated in hostels, community facilities, and temporary classroom tents while the region deploys floating bridges to restore access to isolated communities.

    9 April 2026 · New Era

  3. Independence Stadium feasibility study approved by CAF officials

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that the feasibility study for upgrading Windhoek's Independence Stadium has been approved following consultations with Confederation of African Football inspectors, with Namibia awaiting a detailed CAF report on next steps to meet international standards. The government has also identified 121 community sports facility sites nationwide, with designs completed for 28 sites and construction already underway in several regions.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Okongo councillor outlines development projects and infrastructure plans

    Efraim Shipindo, councillor for Okongo constituency in Ohangwena, has described progress in agricultural diversification, youth empowerment, education, and water access, while identifying road infrastructure upgrades and financial constraints as ongoing challenges for the remote region.

    7 April 2026 · New Era

Ministry of Works and Transport — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute