Namibia's 2026 Budget Boosts Infrastructure Spending by 18%

WINDHOEK — Namibia's finance minister presented the 2026 national budget to Parliament on Thursday, unveiling an 18% increase in infrastructure spending that prioritises road connectivity, port expansion at Walvis Bay, and rural broadband rollout. The budget, totalling NAD 78.4 billion, represents the largest capital allocation in the country's history and signals a renewed commitment to positioning Namibia as a logistics hub for Southern Africa. Key projects include the dualisation of the B1 corridor between Windhoek and Okahandja, expansion of the Port of Walvis Bay's container terminal, and a NAD 2.1 billion broadband initiative targeting 340 rural schools. The opposition raised concerns about debt sustainability, with public debt projected to reach 72% of GDP by year-end.