Omusati region has placed agriculture, infrastructure, education and economic empowerment at the centre of its development agenda, with Governor Immanuel Shishiweni Shikongo reporting projects aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities.
He said these projects are expected to strengthen services, investment and job creation across the region.
Shikongo further said the region is committed to the President’s call for “no business as usual”.
He also highlighted cooperation among regional leaders and government institutions.
Agriculture drives food production
Etunda Irrigation Scheme remains a major agricultural project. Government spent N$14.5 million on water-supply infrastructure and N$900 000 on a cool room. 270 hectares produced 1,371 tonnes of maize, while potatoes, watermelons and wheat were also produced. A banana pilot project was successfully harvested.
Fourteen farmers received letters of award for small-scale farming plots at Etunda. Government provided N$1.5 million in dry-land farming subsidies to 8 353 farmers, while N$1.6 million supported poultry and horticulture production for 177 farmers.
Mahangu, livestock and fisheries
Through AMTA, government procured 371.55 tonnes of locally produced mahangu worth N$2.7 million.
Livestock production received attention through the vaccination of 183 526 cattle against lung sickness. Government invested N$15 million in rehabilitating the Omutambo-Omaue quarantine facility. In fisheries, 23 small-scale farmers were registered and 217 000 catfish and 33 000 tilapia fingerlings distributed.
Youth and sports development
Youth empowerment included 87 contractual jobs created by Outapi Town Council at a cost of N$2 million. The Social Security Commission Development Fund invested N$2.6 million in the Okalonda Youth Brick Project, creating 10 jobs.
Phase One of the Okahao Multi-Purpose Sports Complex was completed at N$8.9 million. Ruacana also allocated 10 hectares for a basic sports facility, while Shikongo Iipinge Secondary School’s sports facility was renovated at N$600,000.
Education remains a priority
Omusati ranked third nationally at Grade 12 AS level, with 73.5 percent of 1 738 learners obtaining at least three subjects. At Grade 11, the region ranked fifth nationally with 37 percent in A-to-C grades.
Government invested N$5 million in six classrooms, two ablution facilities and renovation of 37 classrooms, creating 112 jobs. A total of 1 495 teachers received professional development training, while adult literacy reached 69 percent.
Health and social welfare
Government invested N$424 000 to renovate GBV shelters and N$11 million to subsidise allowances for 528 Early Childhood Development educators. Social grants reached 36 816 beneficiaries. However, GBV remained a concern, with 465 cases recorded during 2025/26 and 204 child physical-abuse cases reported.
Water, housing and sanitation
Water infrastructure included N$206.1 million for replacing the Ogongo-Oshakati pipeline and N$123 million for upgrading the Outapi Purification Plant. Housing development included N$17 million for bulk services at Kashenda Informal Township, while sanitation projects targeted improved access to basic facilities.
Roads, energy and tourism
Road Fund Administration allocated N$6.4 million for road maintenance. The dualisation of sections of the Outapi-Tsandi and Oshakati-Outapi-Ruacana roads has a Phase One budget of N$55.8 million. Three KfW-funded off-grid projects at Onamatanga, Uutsathima and Iitapa are expected to provide new connections. Tourism plans include developing Ruacana Waterfall, Omugulugombashe Shrine and Heritage Centre and opening the Otjivarunda gate to Etosha National Park.
Future projects
The pipeline includes a N$21 million tomato-processing plant, a N$20 million Ruacana South Pipeline expected to create about 200 jobs, and a N$50 million Ogongo Rural Development Centre. Nakayale Vocational Training Centre is also earmarked for upgrading.
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