Namibia has achieved 98% access to safe water in urban areas and 83% in rural communities, marking significant progress towards universal water access despite persistent sanitation and infrastructure challenges.
The figures were shared during a presentation on Institutional Capacity, Innovation and Financing for Universal Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at the three-day Africa Public Service Day 2026 commemoration at Swakopmund on Tuesday.
The presentation, delivered by acting deputy executive director for water resource management in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Maria Amakali, revealed that sanitation coverage stands at 60%.
While ageing water infrastructure and limited institutional capacity continue to hamper service delivery, Amakali said Namibia has made significant progress in expanding access to safe water, with 98% of the urban population and 83% of the rural population now having access.
“However, the country continues to face challenges, particularly in sanitation coverage, infrastructure renewal and financing,” she said.
Delegates agreed that greater investment in innovation and sustainable financing is needed to close the remaining gaps.
Proposed solutions include expanding water reuse, desalination projects and groundwater development to strengthen water security.
The discussions formed part of broader efforts to accelerate universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene while improving public service delivery across the continent.
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of water Michael Mulunga welcomes the reported progress but questions whether the figures reflect the reality on the ground.
“We still have people without water across the country, and some even travel long distances to fetch water. Here in the Hardap region, through the parliamentary standing committee, we came across communities that have been without water since last year, and the problem has persisted. So it is very interesting to know how they arrived at these statistics,” he says.
Mulunga calls on the ministry to provide a detailed breakdown showing which areas make up the reported 83% rural coverage and which communities fall within the remaining 17%.
“As it stands now, the numbers are hard to believe because complaints from communities without water continue to be lodged,” he says.
Okankolo constituency youth forum chairperson in the Oshikoto region Johannes Haukongo also questions the figures, saying they do not reflect the reality in many rural communities.
“Some areas in the region still rely on boreholes, which often run dry. Others still depend on earth dams, meaning people continue to travel long distances to fetch water. My question is: how did they arrive at 83% rural access to water?” he asks.
Haukongo, however, welcomes the ministry’s commitment to roll out an implementation plan in September to address water scarcity in the constituency and surrounding areas.
