National Planning Commission — government agency overseeing Namibia's development planning and green industries strategy, chaired by its director general.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
July 2026
The Namibian
National Planning Commission (NPC)does not decide which projects receive funding; allocates money to government ministries insteadwhich projects receive funding in each town
Source
“He said the NPC does not decide which projects receive funding in each town, adding that the commission allocates money to government ministries, which then decide how to distribute it to regions, towns and individual projects.”
National Planning Commissionparticipated inthree-day masterclass on cost-benefit analysis with 17 delegates
Source
“In Johannesburg, more than 140 top analysts from across the region, including 17 Namibian delegates from the National Planning Commission, five ministries and the Bank of Namibia, have been participating in a three-day masterclass.”
National Planning Commissionimplementsthe Pro-SME Project, a joint initiative between Namibian and German governments
Source
“The funding forms part of the Pro-SME Project, a joint initiative between the Namibian and German governments implemented through the National Planning Commission, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).”
National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuendesaidfundraising event demonstrates collective commitment to strengthening local economic development
Source
“Speaking at the gala dinner, National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende said the fundraising event is a demonstration of the collective commitment to strengthening local economic development and creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).”
National Planning CommissionreceivedN$486 million grant agreement for Namibia
Source
“Receiving the grant on behalf of the Namibian Government, National Planning Commission (NPC) Director General Amb. Dr Kaire Mbuende thanked China for its continued support towards Namibia's development efforts.”
National Planning Commission (NPC)says Namibia has benefited fromsupport in infrastructure planning, agricultural productivity and community empowerment
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“National Planning Commission (NPC) executive director I-Ben Nashandi says Namibia has benefited from support in infrastructure planning, agricultural productivity and community empowerment.”
National Planning Commissionwill receiveinitial outcome-based budget reports from participating OMAs by second quarter of 2026
Source
“By the second quarter of 2026, he anticipates that the participating OMAs, as previously mentioned, will submit their initial outcome-based budget reports to the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission.”
National Planning Commissionis tasked toappraise, monitor and evaluate capital and development projects
Source
“Capelao said under the National Planning Commission Act, the secretariat is tasked to appraise, monitor and evaluate capital and development projects and programmes submitted by offices, ministries and agencies and make recommendations for possible funding to the Ministry of Finance.”
National Planning Commissiondirector general Kaire Mbuende says slower-than-expected economic growth and lower government revenue have reduced funding available for development projects across Namibia. He told local authority heads at an Oshakati engagement that revenue fell short due to weaker economic performance and delayed oil and gas projects, and that ministries—not the NPC—decide how to distribute allocated funds to regions and towns.
National Planning Commissiondirector general Kaire Mbuende says slower-than-expected economic growth and lower government revenue have reduced funding available for development projects across Namibia. He told local authority heads at an Oshakati engagement that revenue fell short due to weaker economic performance and delayed oil and gas projects, and that ministries—not the NPC—decide how to distribute allocated funds to regions and towns.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah completed a seven-day state visit to China aimed at persuading the country to help Namibia build manufacturing and processing industries rather than exporting raw minerals. The visit culminated in nine cooperation instruments and elevation of bilateral ties to a Namibia-China Community with a shared future, focusing on long-term development and strategic cooperation.
Namibia is falling behind on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, about 40% of households lack adequate sanitation, with the situation worse in marginalised communities where nearly seven out of every ten households do not have a toilet.
Namibia has joined an initiative with seven other southern African countries to use cost-benefit analysis to help governments achieve better outcomes with limited budgets. The tool translates economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits into present-day dollars, allowing policymakers to compare policy alternatives and prioritise spending.
Brazil's ambassador announced a N$1.9 million contribution to the World Food Programme and plans to expand a programme from supporting 300 families to 3 000 families, emphasizing building stronger food systems and helping communities become self-reliant instead of dependent on food aid.
The parliament, the National Planning Commission and the European Union have concluded a six-year Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia programme, which invested €6 million (about N$127 million) in strengthening democratic governance, parliamentary oversight and citizen participation since August 2020.
A consultant hired to advise on renovating Windhoek's Independence Stadium is set to earn about N$337 million – more than three times the government's budgeted amount – through a 17.5% fee on the estimated N$2 billion project cost, which industry experts say is unusually high.
An N$18 million grant fund from the Pro-SME Project, a joint Namibian-German initiative, is available to young entrepreneurs and small businesses to help them formalise, expand and create jobs, with the first application round closing on 24 July.
The third edition of the Omuthiya Business Expo received pledges totalling N$626,026 at a gala dinner on Saturday. The funds will support the expo scheduled for October, themed "Local by Design; Crafting Competitive SMEs for Tomorrow," aimed at strengthening local economic development and supporting small and medium enterprises.
Namibia and China have signed a grant agreement worth RMB 200 million (approximately N$486 million) to support key national development priorities including school infrastructure, healthcare services, and water supply, aligned with Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan.
The government launched a multilateral development bank mission to finalise a Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan to access up to US$250 million in concessional climate financing under the Climate Investment Funds' Industry Decarbonisation Programme, aiming to support the transition of high-emitting sectors and scale up green industries.
Japan has contributed N$80 billion in development assistance to Namibia over the past two decades, including technical assistance, grants and scholarships, with close to half—N$47 billion—provided as grants and development assistance, according to the National Planning Commission executive director.
Simonis Storm analysis shows Namibia could unlock approximately N$14.5 billion in new manufacturing and value-addition activities, citing a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion and identifying 353 products across 23 sectors that the country could potentially manufacture using existing capabilities.
Namibia's Ministry of Finance officially launched a budget reform rollout workshop as the government seeks to create outcome-based budget programmes amid growing public debt and narrowing fiscal space. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare stated that the 2026/27 National Budget of N$87.9 billion was tabled against recovering global conditions, but the global environment has since changed due to the ongoing Middle East war; he added that public debt stands at N$174.6 billion (65.2% of GDP) and the government has committed to reducing the fiscal deficit from 5.5% of GDP in 2026/27 to 3.3% by 2028/29.
The National Planning Commission director general said Namibia is ready to move from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects, despite the absence of dedicated legislation. The government aims to create 30,000 green jobs by 2030 and position Namibia as a low-carbon industry platform for southern Africa.
The finance ministry's executive director clarified that the government does not accept unsolicited funding bids from private entities or agents for infrastructure projects. Instead, all government funding and development projects must follow established procedures under the National Planning Commission Act and State Finance Act.
The Ministry of Finance says infrastructure funding must comply with existing procurement and borrowing laws and cannot be sourced through unsolicited proposals from private entities or their agents, despite acknowledging that such proposals could support national infrastructure development.
Cabinet has officially approved the establishment of the Green Industries Council to guide development of the green industries sector, with a focus on industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation. The Council will be chaired by the Director-General of the National Planning Commission and include ministers from finance, industries, agriculture, environment, trade, urban development, the Attorney-General, and the Bank of Namibia Governor.
The Cabinet has approved a new Green Industries Council, replacing the Green Hydrogen Council after it ended in February 2025. The council will oversee Namibia's broader green industrialisation agenda, focusing on policy coordination, institutional alignment and investment priorities to accelerate industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed all government institutions to budget for internships and apprenticeships to address graduate unemployment. While the directive is practical, the article questions its timing, noting that many institutions have already completed their annual budgeting and planning cycles.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, partnering with Enertrag and GIZ, will sign a cooperation agreement under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme to strengthen Namibian supplier capacity in the green hydrogen sector. The initiative, funded by EUR 300,000 from H2UPPP and EUR 300,000 from Hyphen, will implement an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme to build capability and competitiveness of Namibian enterprises.
Namibia's government has begun phased implementation of Vision April 2026, an initiative to transform public healthcare by improving accessibility, quality and citizen confidence. The programme, which mandates senior government officials to use public facilities starting April 2024, includes infrastructure upgrades, N$239 million in medical equipment procurement and recruitment of 2,307 health workers, with expansion to additional facilities planned for 2027.
Minister Veikko Nekundi presented the 2026/2027 budget allocation of N$592.972 million for the Department of Works to the National Assembly, with N$499 million for operational costs and N$93.972 million for capital investment. The budget addresses public infrastructure development, government asset management, and maintenance of state facilities across five programmes.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Enertrag and GIZ signed an agreement to support Namibian suppliers in the green hydrogen value chain through an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme. The partnership aims to strengthen local capacity and participation, with over €40 million committed to Namibian projects and focus on building domestic industries, creating jobs, and increasing processed exports rather than raw material exports.
The state-owned Roads Contractor Company has requested a N$500 million loan from the Development Bank of Namibia to build sport stadiums across 14 regions without a public tender process. The project, part of the president's infrastructure pledge to all 121 constituencies, has raised concerns about unclear costs, lack of transparency, and potential involvement of foreign contractors despite a directive limiting subcontracting to local small and medium enterprises.
The Development Bank of Namibia has disbursed N$1 billion towards a national health infrastructure programme, part of the government's "Roadmap" initiative. The funding will support construction of a 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital and district hospitals in Nkurenkuru, Otjiwarongo, and Ondangwa to address bed shortages and improve healthcare access.
The Development Bank of Namibia has allocated N$1 billion for construction of a 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital in Havana to address bed shortages and ease pressure on existing facilities in the Khomas region. The project is part of the government's healthcare infrastructure development plan and is expected to stimulate economic activity through construction and job creation, though land clearing remains pending before work commences.
Namibia's mining competitiveness ranking fell sharply in the 2025 Fraser Institute survey, dropping from 30th to 51st globally and from 4th to 7th in Africa, as investor concerns about policy direction and regulatory clarity intensify. The Chamber of Mines attributes the decline to weakening perceptions of mining policy and governance, citing a proposed 51% local ownership requirement and new legislative changes as compounding investor uncertainty.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has inaugurated newly constructed and renovated infrastructure across Etosha, Hardap, and Bwabwata National Parks, valued at N$166 million and co-funded by Germany's development bank. The upgrades include enhanced facilities, staff stations, and utilities designed to strengthen wildlife protection and improve visitor experiences.