The recent call by the minister of justice and labour relations, Wise Immanuel, inviting citizens to submit proposals for legislative reforms, offers a golden opportunity for Namibia to rethink its governance model.
Among the most impactful reforms would be the introduction of devolution through elected regional governments, designed with firm checks and balances to ensure transparency and prevent abuse of power.
Under the leadership of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia is at a critical juncture where bold, people-centred reforms are essential to drive inclusive economic growth.
One such reform is the empowerment of Namibia’s 14 regions through decentralized governance.
UNLOCKING REGIONAL POTENTIAL
These regions are rich in diversity, resources, and economic potential.
The Khomas region stands as Namibia’s industrial and financial hub, anchoring commerce, services, and government administration.
The Kavango East, Kavango West, and Zambezi regions form an agricultural powerhouse, benefiting from fertile soils and abundant water resources.
The northern regions of Oshikoto, Ohangwena, and Oshana, together with the Zambezi and Kavango regions, hold immense potential to become Namibia’s breadbasket.
With the introduction of modern agricultural technology and irrigation systems, these regions could transform into large-scale producers of staple crops and livestock feed, boosting national food security.
Other regions remain stifled by centralisation.
The Erongo region thrives on mining and fishing, the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions are key for cattle farming, while the Kunene region holds promise in ecotourism and minerals. Yet these areas depend on Windhoek-driven initiatives that often overlook local needs.
Devolution would empower local leadership to craft region-specific strategies and attract investments.
LESSONS FROM KENYA
Namibia can draw valuable lessons from Kenya’s devolution model, implemented under its 2010 constitution.
Spearheaded by president Mwai Kibaki and prime minister Raila Odinga under their grand coalition government, Kenya established 47 county governments with elected governors and assemblies.
Since then, Kenya’s counties have made strides in healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and job creation.
Marginalised regions now access services that were once centralised in Nairobi. Despite challenges, devolution has fostered inclusive growth and brought the government closer to the people.
ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE
For Namibia, devolution is more than governance reform – it is an economic strategy. Decentralising decision-making would streamline bureaucracy, enhance investor confidence, and promote regional development plans. Local leaders, attuned to community needs, could drive innovation and competitiveness.
Importantly, regions would not solely rely on central allocations.
They could generate their own revenues through levies, rates, and public-private partnerships to fund development initiatives. This would stimulate entrepreneurship, create jobs, and attract targeted investments.
To ensure devolution works, Namibia must strengthen oversight institutions.
The National Council should play a stronger role in monitoring regional governments, scrutinising budgets, and ensuring equitable resource distribution.
A robust oversight mechanism would guard against corruption and ensure accountability.
BRINGING THE GOVT
CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE
Namibia’s vast landscape and scattered population present a unique challenge.
Many citizens in remote villages struggle to access services centralised in Windhoek and lack reliable internet connectivity.
Devolution would bridge this gap by bringing governance closer to the people.
Electing governors and regional assembly leaders would enhance accountability, ensuring leaders are directly answerable to their communities. This localised approach would foster citizen participation, improve service delivery, and strengthen national unity through shared prosperity.
THE TIME IS NOW
Namibia’s centralised model, while effective during nation-building, now risks stalling broader development aspirations. Devolution offers a path to address regional disparities, unlock local opportunities, and drive inclusive growth.
As Nandi-Ndaitwah charts a new course for Namibia, embracing devolution is both a governance imperative and an economic necessity.
The Kenyan experience proves that with political will, institutional safeguards, and citizen engagement, devolution can be transformative.
As Immanuel and the justice ministry assess legislative proposals, Namibia must view devolution not as a threat to central authority, but as a catalyst for inclusive, sustainable growth.
The time for devolution is now.
– Elvis Mboya is the president of the Namibia-Kenya Chamber of Commerce and a former journalist in Namibia and Kenya.
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