REGIONAL PROFILES AND CONTACT DETAILS
1. Kunene Region
The Kunene Region is seeing more investments in sectors such as agriculture, tourism and mining. Adventure tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors. During the 2019/20 fi nancial year a budget of N$400 million was allocated to this region.
The improvement of education and sanitation has been placed as the top priority in the Kunene Region. As the region is rich in natural resources, processing these resources locally would lead to job creation throughout the vast region.
Another area of potential for investors is the construction of an aerodrome facility. The ICT sector in the Kunene Region is not fully developed, and the region also has huge potential for cattle farming but the lack of a regional abattoir hampers the development of this sector.
2. Omusati Region
Home to the Ruacana falls, a major tourism attraction in Namibia, this region boasts a canal which carries water from the Okavango River at Ruacana to Oshakati, passing through Outapi. Water from the canal is used to irrigate a large state-run farm at Etunda where crops like maize, bananas and watermelons are grown.
The region is generally known as an agricultural region. To date this region has one of the lowest percentages of sanitation provision, with only 17% of its population having access to adequate sanitation facilities. The town of Outapi in this region borders Angola, so the region has the potential to become an export hub.
3. Oshana Region
The current focus areas for this region are 1) to establish a Northern Tourism and Convention Centre, as well as 2) construction of low-cost housing. This region holds the second largest population concentration in Namibia, after the capital city, Windhoek. Its economic hubs are Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Oshakati, while the rural areas in this region remain mostly underdeveloped. Thus decentralisation continues to be a goal that needs to be achieved in its full capacity. There are plans to establish an animal feed plant, as cattle do well in this region and herds are extensive.
4. Ohangwena Region
The UNDP has dubbed Ohangwena as one of the poorest regions in Namibia, although there is great agricultural potential in the region. The region is also home to the Ohangwena Aquifer project, which has potential to supply water both to the region and to the rest of the country. The eastern part of the region possesses good grazing land; however is currently uninhabitable due to water shortages and poor communications. This leaves a gap for the development of ICT, as well as water projects. The focal development points in this region are water supply and sanitation.
5. Oshikoto Region
Cattle rearing and mining are the main economic activities in this region, with copper mining being the leading economic activity. Areas of potential for investors include higher educational training facilities as well as vocational training centres. The majority of the Oshikoto Region is communal farmland. The ‘One Region One Nation’ project proves promising with unique projects under its wings, one of which is a paper-making project, whereby mahangu (millet) stalks are transformed into paper. This project has potential to expand into the SADC market and beyond.
6. Zambezi Region
The construction of a gravel road stretching 50km from Isize to Sifuha to Malindi and Schuckmannsburg, and costing N$60 million, is the most noteworthy expenditure on the Zambezi Region’s Development Budget for the current fi nancial year. Statistics show that this region is underperforming in all of sectors of agriculture, despite the fact that Namibia’s most fertile tracts of land can be found in the region. Green scheme projects hold great potential for this region.
Other projects in the region include the upgrading of the Mpacha Airport as well as the construction of the Mpacha military base and the construction of a community Learning Development Centre. With sound and viable economic projects, this region is set to grow exponentially, given that it is a gateway to neighbouring countries such as Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
7. Erongo Region
This region is the principal home of Namibia’s fi shing industry. It also includes Namibia’s uranium belt and is one of the biggest producers of uranium in the world. Erongo is home to Namibia’s fi rst desalination plant and offers investors opportunities to invest in other desalination plants that would contribute to the water supply security in the country. Tourism is a major industry in the region, which boasts towns such as Swakopmund, which is popular on tourists’ lists.
8. Otjozondjupa Region
This region has great potential for farming activities and agro-processing. The region has the advantage of combining communal and commercial farming in the same region and offers investors potential farming projects.
9. Omaheke Region
This region includes Gobabis, which is the centre of the area. Omaheke’s economic activities revolve mainly around cattle farming. There is a need in the region for diversifi cation into cash crops rather than depending only on cattle ranching.
10. Khomas Region
This region is the seat of central government and is where the capital city Windhoek is situated. The region, which is the biggest population centre in Namibia, offers potential investors with many opportunities.
These include the construction of a forensic laboratory in Windhoek and the upgrading of the Eros and Hosea Kutako International Airports that are developmental priorities in this region. These offer potential investors opportunities through Private Public Partnerships.
11. Hardap Region
The bulk of the Regional Development Budget in this region is allocated to early childhood development centres, making education a focal point. Roads and health infrastructure are developmental priorities. The SME sector in this region consists of weaving, leather works and a tannery, and desires to expand. A photovoltaic power plant located near the city of Mariental is the fi rst large-scale plant of its kind in Namibia. This region is one of two—along with Otjozondjupa Region—to welcome solar power technology. Hardap Region is a great area of investment for a country that is looking to increase solar power generation.
12. //Karas Region
This is the least densely populated region in Namibia. !Karas Region boasts a myriad of natural and mineral resources, with huge potential for growth, Fifteen of this region’s boreholes are in need of rehabilitation for drought relief in the region. Fishing, boat-building and diamond mining along the coast of this region present potential for the logistics industry.
13. Kavango East Region
While the construction of garment factories is currently a top priority for this region, agriculture holds potential. Given that this region receives good rainfall compared to other parts of Namibia, it has good potential for the cultivation of various crops.
Organised forestry and agro-forestry, which stimulate carpentry and related industries, is an equally promising sector for investment. With many development projects on the cards, the region offers investors many opportunities.
14. Kavango West Region
Similar to its sister region, agriculture in the region is poised to boost development on the western side. There is agricultural potential for the cultivation of various crops, due to high quantities of rainfall. Organised forestry and agro-forestry, which stimulate carpentry and related industries, offer equally high potential for investment.
CONTACT DETAILS
Erongo Regional Council Govervnor Hon. Cleopas Mutjavikua |
Ohangwena Regional Council Governor Hon. Usko Nghaamwa |
Hardap Regional Council Governor Hon. Esme Isaack |
Omheke Regional Council Governor Hon. Festus Ueitele |
//Kharas Regional Council Governor Hon. Lucia Basson |
Omusati Regional Council Governor Hon. Erginus Endjala |
Kavango East Regional Council Governor Hon. Samuel K Mbambo |
Oshana Regional Council Governor Hon. Elia Irimari |
Kavango West Regional Council Governor Hon. Sirkka Ausiku |
Oshikoto Regional Council Governor Hon. Henock Kankoshi |
Khomas Regional Council Governor Hon. Laura Mcleod-Katjirua |
Otjozondjupa Regional Council Governor Hon. Otto Ipinge |
Kunene Regional Council Governor Hon. Marius Sheya |
Zambezi Regional Council Governor Lawrence A Sampofu |