Regional councils that fail to complete projects, spend development funds or deliver essential services will face greater accountability, with resources increasingly linked to performance, Urban and Rural Development Minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa has warned.
The warning was delivered by the ministry’s Executive Director, Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele, who officially opened the 2026 Annual Rural Development Progress Review and Planning Workshop in Swakopmund on the minister’s behalf this week. Addressing regional council chairpersons, chief regional officers, government officials and development partners, Nawases-Taeyele said rural development remains central to Namibia’s national development agenda, noting that 50.5% of the country’s population lives in rural areas according to the 2023 Population and Housing Census. She said the workshop should move beyond reviewing progress reports and instead focus on improving implementation, identifying challenges and contributing to the ongoing review of the National Rural Development Policy and Strategy.
Nawases-Taeyele expressed concern over poor performance by some regional councils, saying incomplete projects, unspent development funds and delayed service delivery were unacceptable. “Every delayed project and every unspent development dollar is a missed opportunity. Public resources are entrusted to us to improve lives, not to remain unused. The days of business as usual have come to an end and that performance would increasingly determine resource allocation,” she said. At the same time, she praised regions demonstrating strong leadership and sound financial management, citing the Erongo Regional Rural Development Forum and Ohangwena Region’s record of unqualified audit opinions as examples that others should emulate.
Nawases-Taeyele also announced that the ministry had, for the first time, allocated N$10 million this financial year to the Food/Cash-for-Work Programme to provide temporary income support, create community assets and strengthen resilience among vulnerable households. She said the programme comes at a time when Namibia’s unemployment rate stands at 36.9%, with youth unemployment at 44.1%. She further called for stronger cooperation between the ministry and regional councils, stressing that timely and accurate information was essential for effective planning and decision-making.
Erongo Regional Councillor Albertina Nkoshi, speaking on behalf of Governor Natalia //Goagoses, welcomed delegates to Swakopmund and described the workshop as an important platform for government, regional councils and development partners to review progress and strengthen rural development efforts. Nkoshi said that while Erongo is widely recognised for its mining, tourism and maritime industries, the region remains committed to improving the livelihoods of rural communities through sustainable development initiatives. She commended the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development for convening the workshop and encouraged delegates to use the gathering to share experiences, identify practical solutions and improve service delivery across the country.
The workshop brings together representatives from regional councils, government institutions, state-owned enterprises, the private sector and development partners to assess progress and plan future rural development interventions.
By Sharlien Tjambari
