Despite prolonged droughts, inadequate funding, difficult terrain, weak connectivity, slow procurement processes, delays in budget approvals and misalignment between local authority and national government financial years, the Kunene region recorded progress in its development trajectory.
The prolonged drought and wider climate pressures further increased humanitarian and developmental pressures on communities in the region.
These details are laid out in the region’s progress report during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years across infrastructure, education, water supply, rural development, electrification, housing, agriculture, policing and drought relief.
The report demonstrates continued investment in services across the region’s seven constituencies, Epupa, Kamanjab, Khorixas, Opuwo Rural, Opuwo Urban, Outjo and Sesfontein and its four local authorities: Outjo Municipality, Opuwo Town Council,
Khorixas Town Council and Kamanjab Village Council.
“Major achievements included progress on strategic roads, the ongoing construction of the Opuwo Aerodrome, rural and urban electrification, sanitation and housing infrastructure, the completion of police facilities, expansion of educational infrastructure, drilling and installation of boreholes, agricultural subsidies, rural self-help projects and drought-relief support,” reads the report.
It was compiled by the Kunene Regional Council last month. At a glance, some notable achievements include Opuwo Aerodrome, which recorded approximately 35% physical progress by March 2026, with certified works of N$11.27 million.
“The region continues to face inadequate telecommunications coverage in several remote areas. Weak communication systems, combined with difficult road conditions, affect service delivery and make it difficult for institutions, including the police, to respond quickly across large areas of jurisdiction,” states the report.
On rural electrification, Etanga and Otjitoko projects were energised, and Otjondeka electrification stands at 75% completion.
In addition, 20 water boreholes were drilled and tested by NamWater during the period under review, while 21 boreholes were drilled through communal water-point development.
On education, the Kunene Resource School Phase 1 reached 95%.
Hostel blocks, classroom blocks, ablution facilities, and the kitchen and dining facilities were completed, while electrical connections remained outstanding. Module 2 classroom blocks with storerooms and ablution facilities were implemented at Etoto West Primary School, KM Maundu Primary School, Katutura Primary School, Outjo Primary Project School and Elias Amxab Combined School. Additional works, including eight classrooms, administration offices, computer laboratories, libraries and ablution blocks at Musaso and Oukongo Combined Schools, were reported as 100% complete.
Renovation of classroom floors at Katutura Primary School was reported at 98% completion. Major renovation of classrooms, the dining hall and hostels at Mureti High School in Opuwo Urban had a reported budget of N$60 million and is at 20% implementation, with completion expected within 18 months. The source report also records progress at Opuwo Project Secondary School, also referred to as Otjorungondo, at 5% implementation after fencing and contractor mobilisation. The school is planned to include 20 classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library and ablution facilities. Outjo Project Secondary School Phase 2 was reported at 80% completion, with finishing works such as tiling, painting, paving, and aprons underway. Boreholes are also planned to improve water supply at schools, particularly in Epupa and Opuwo Rural. For the 2026/2027 financial year, Module 3 classroom blocks with storerooms are planned for Katutura Primary School, Outjo Primary Project School, KM Maundu Primary School and Okondaunue Combined School. The project has a reported budget of N$6.4 million and stood at 40% implementation in the source report.
Meanwhile, on policing, the Omakange and Palmwag police stations were completed and inaugurated, and the Kunene regional police headquarters in Opuwo was completed. Additionally, 839 farmers benefited from subsidy support, and 825.1 hectares were ploughed under subsidised programmes.
What is more, several road construction projects are underway in Kunene.
The upgrade of DR 3700: Opuwo–Otjivize–Okanguati-Omaserundu
Phase 1, Section A covers the 75 km section from Opuwo to
Otjivize.
The project was awarded to OTESA Civil Engineering.
Additionally, the Swakopmund–Henties Bay–Kamanjab Road Project Phase II covers 220km.
It is divided into Section A: Kamanjab.
Khorixas (105 km) and Section B: Khorixas–Uis (115 km). “Phase I, Section B, covering approximately 96 km from beyond Henties Bay to Uis, commenced in July 2021 and was reported at 49% overall progress. Completion, initially scheduled for January 2024, was reported as revised to January 2027 due to budgetary constraints. The contractor is RCC in joint venture with Zhong Mei Engineering Group, with Zutari/Bicon Joint Venture as consultant,” states the report.
The reported contract amount is N$1.3 billion.
“The region continues to advocate for the commencement of construction on the Kamanjab–Khorixas section because of its economic and social importance,” further reads the report.
In addition, the Otuani 7 km access road in the Opuwo Rural constituency is planned for upgrading to gravel standard. Route determination and public consultation were completed in June 2024, while
Design work was reported as ongoing, and construction was expected to commence in the 2025/2026 financial year.
“Okaoko-Otavi to Orupembe Road Route determination and public consultation were completed in June 2024. Construction of the first 10km from Kaoko-Otavi was expected to commence during the 2025/2026 financial year.”
Furthermore, at Fransfontein, 74 toilets, sewer connections, gravity sewer networks and rehabilitation of a sewer pump station were implemented under Phase 2B at a reported value of N$4.1 million.
In Sesfontein, installation of a booster pump and construction of a water pipeline were underway, with N$2.8 million budgeted and the source report recording a completion date of 31 August 2024. Construction of 29 low-cost houses under the Decentralised Build Together Programme is underway in Sesfontein, with completion reported as targeted for December 2026.
Moreover, the Kunene Regional Health Directorate comprises three district hospitals, three health centres, 27 clinics, one health post and 199 outreach points.
The document notes that capital projects were implemented during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years but does not provide a detailed project list.
The Kunene region covers approximately 115,293 square kilometres and has a population of 120 762 people.
The post Kunene’s hits and misses …region records progress despite challenges appeared first on New Era.
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