Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tests prefabricated housing to address Namibia's 500,000-unit shortage

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed concern regarding the nation’s housing crisis, noting a deficit of approximately 500,000 units. The President questioned the progress of the government's housing targets, specifically whether the annual goal of 10,000 houses is being met to reach the target of 50,000 units by 2030 under the sixth National Development Plan.

To test potential solutions, Nandi-Ndaitwah personally funded the construction of two prefabricated houses in the Windhoek informal settlements of 8ste Laan and Kilimanjaro. Each house cost N$200,000 and was built by Yambuka Housing, a local company utilizing SI-Panel technology. These prefabricated units can be assembled within seven days of foundation completion and are positioned as an affordable alternative to corrugated-iron shacks.

The President called for increased collaboration between government institutions, private businesses, and financial regulators to remove obstacles to construction and expand access to permanent shelter.