Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), hosted a Stakeholder Engagement Session in Ondangwa, Oshana Region, for the Pilot Project on the Optimisation of the Retail Water Supply Process – Okashandja–Olweege Branchline. The session brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, water consumers, and technology partners, to deliberate on modernising Namibia’s water supply system.
Delivering the project purpose, NamWater Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abraham Nehemia, highlighted the historical challenges in water supply management, stating that:
“Water supply in north-western Namibia has evolved significantly, but challenges such as non-payment, inefficient billing, and infrastructure constraints persist. This pilot project aims to integrate smart technologies to improve service delivery, ensure financial sustainability, and promote responsible water use.”
Namibia’s water sector faces increasing pressure due to climate change, droughts, and ageing infrastructure. The shift from fixed community contributions to NamWater’s cost-recovery model has also presented difficulties, with rising debt levels leading to disputes and the abandonment of communal water points. These challenges have necessitated a comprehensive review of the sector, culminating in NamWater’s Five-Year Strategy (2023–2028), which includes the establishment of a Retail Division to enhance operational efficiency.
Honourable Elia Irimari, Governor of the Oshana Region, welcomed the initiative and commended NamWater for its proactive leadership, stating:
“Water is the foundation of development, and access to clean, reliable supply is a fundamental right. By integrating smart water metering and digital innovations, this pilot project can set a new standard for Namibia’s water sector. I urge all stakeholders to support this initiative and contribute to its success.”
The pilot project will serve as a test case to assess the feasibility and impact of optimising the retail water supply process. Upon successful completion, NamWater will develop a full-scale implementation strategy to extend these solutions to other regions across Namibia.
NamWater is also working closely with MTC to leverage digital solutions such as cloud computing, data analytics, and mobile payment platforms to modernise service delivery.
The Pilot Project on the Optimisation of the Retail Water Supply Process stakeholder engagement session brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, water consumers, and technology partners, to deliberate on modernising Namibia’s water supply system.
