Commercial and industrial building approvals in Windhoek surged last year, but the city’s construction sector struggled to turn plans into completed buildings, a recent report shows.
A building plan report for December 2025 by IJG Namibia showed a 73.6% increase in the value of commercial and industrial plans approved in 2025 compared to 2024.
Some 74 units valued at N$937.7 million were approved in 2025.
This may signal business interest in investing in construction in 2026, however, only six commercial or industrial buildings were completed in the entire year – down sharply from 2024.
Residential building approvals and completions showed there is less momentum for residential properties, despite the city’s housing crisis.
Residential approvals fell 20.3% in value, and residential completions dropped by 44.6% in value.
A total of 135 residential units were completed in 2025, worth N$231.1 million. An additional 330 units were approved in 2025, worth N$692.4 million.
This indicates delays in construction in addition to a lack of investor appetite for residential buildings.
“The total value of completions fell significantly, indicating delays in translating approvals into actual construction,” the report says.
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