Introduction

In light of the unprecedented financial and economic climate, exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of Government and stakeholders in infrastructure development will be more collaborative during HPPII. 

Namibia has to date ranked well in “hard’’ economic infrastructure like roads, rail, ports and airports in African rankings and some elements (e.g. roads, ports) in global rankings. However, there is scope for improvement in “soft’’ infrastructure rankings. These include both social and educational indicators (generally below top 100) and critical 4IR indicators such as the Global ICT Index (118) and Global Cybersecurity Index (141). While traditional infrastructure elements will be further enhanced by leveraging private and PPP funding, HPPII endeavours to elevate the development of social,  health and education as high priority areas, in partnership with the private sector through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework. 

HPPI focused on four (4) core sub-pillars for infrastructure development, namely Energy, Water, Transport and ICT.  While significant progress was achieved in several desired outcomes, some were not achieved due to a combination of factors including inadequate public sector capacity, funding and insufficiently progressed policy frameworks to facilitate private investment and PPPs. This Pillar has 4 goals:

1. Energy Supply Security
2. Water Supply Security
3. Strengthen Namibia’s Position as a Transport and Logistics Hub
4. Expand Coverage for Information and Communication Technologies

The four Goals are positioned to achieve better outcomes in HPPII, through a more collaborative partnership approach, consulted and agreed-upon outcomes to be delivered by partners. The core physical pillars of infrastructure which have been the focus of HPPI and the NDPs will continue to receive sustained attention under HPPII. Considering limitations on public funding and the global trend to sharing infrastructure development through Private Sector Participation (“PSP’’) and PPP formats, the Government aims to facilitate an improved partnership approach by leveraging off-balance sheet funding and technology sources.

Bridging the gap

The assessment of the Infrastructure Development Pillar during HPPI points to an achievement of 67%, out of fifteen (15) desired outcomes, ten (10) were on target. The Government is committed to complete the ongoing activities under HPPII.

Activities under this Pillar rely on a renewed investment drive and elevated private sector and PPP commitment to infrastructural development, as well as mobilising capital markets, local and international, for infrastructure funding and notably for ‘’green and blue’’ infrastructure. The Public-Private Partnership Act and Public Enterprise Governance Act are promulgated and the critical energy frameworks are being operationalised. These include the National Integrated Resource Plan, Independent Power Producer Policy, Renewable Energy Policy, National Energy Policy (replacing the White Paper on Energy Policy) and the Modified Single Buyer Model Framework. Cabinet has approved the new Electricity Bill and Energy Regulator Bill due to be enacted during HPPII. All of these are enablers to a new format of shared infrastructure development.