Windhoek building sector takes hard hit

Windhoek’s building activity slowed down significantly in August, with approvals and completions dropping, despite year-to-date figures still outperforming the same period last year.

The City of Windhoek approved 135 building plans worth N$161.9 million – down from 229 plans worth N$203.2 million approved in July.

The latest figures, analysed by IJG Securities, show that fewer new buildings are being approved and completed as the construction sector continues to face pressure.

Only 17 buildings were completed in August, compared with 23 in July. The value of the completed buildings also fell from N$33.6 million to N$21.3 million.

“However, on a year-to-date basis, 271 buildings with a combined value of N$330.9 million were completed,” IJG says.
This means that, despite the weaker August figures, more buildings have been completed so far this year than during the same period in 2025.

The slowdown was also seen in additions to existing properties.

The city approved 94 plans for property additions in August, down from 178 in July. The value of these plans fell from N$73.5 million to N$40.7 million.

Residential construction was also weaker in August.

Only 35 residential building plans were approved, compared with 44 in July. The plans were worth a combined N$92.2 million.

However, the number of residential plans approved during the first eight months of the year remains higher than last year. A total of 252 residential plans worth N$1.15 billion had been approved by the end of August.

Seven residential buildings were completed in August, one more than in July. However, the value of those completed buildings dropped sharply, from N$30.5 million in July to N$9.7 million in August.

Commercial and industrial construction also remained subdued.

Six plans were approved in August, compared with seven in July. Their combined value was N$29.1 million.

While the number of commercial and industrial approvals so far this year is slightly higher than last year, their value has fallen considerably.

The 50 plans approved between January and August were worth N$152.4 million, compared with N$459.2 million during the same period last year.

IJG says the figures point to a slowdown in the value of commercial and industrial projects being approved compared with last year.

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