CHAMWE KAIRA
Construction of the N$160 million Buchter Mall in Lüderitz has officially started following the handover of the development site to main contractor Afrideca Construction Namibia (Pty) Ltd on 18 August 2026.
Wilhelm Schultz, property development manager, said the site handover marked the beginning of construction of what is expected to become a significant new retail development for the southern coastal town.
The mall will comprise approximately 7 970 square metres of retail gross lettable area and 229 parking bays. It will be anchored by Shoprite and Shoprite Liquor.
The development is expected to include a mix of national and local retailers, including John Craig, Studio88, Clicks, PEP Clothing, Tekkie Town, OK Furniture, Big Daddy and Hungry Lion.
According to Schultz, the project is expected to have a wider economic impact on Lüderitz, with approximately 200 jobs to be created during the construction phase and a further 300 permanent positions once the mall becomes operational.
Afrideca Construction Namibia, the main contractor, is registered to operate in Namibia, South Africa and Angola and specialises in large-scale construction projects, including shopping malls, multi-storey office complexes, industrial facilities and civil engineering projects.
The development will also be expanded in a second phase, which is planned to include a 50-room accommodation facility and approximately 1 400 square metres of office space on the first floor of the retail centre.
The Buchter Mall is scheduled to open for trading on 1 November 2027.
Schultz said the commencement of construction represented an important milestone after the project had progressed through its initial planning and development stages.
The project is expected to increase retail choice and access to services for residents of Lüderitz and surrounding areas while adding new commercial and employment opportunities to the town.
Its anticipated demands arising from the growth of the oil, gas, and green hydrogen sectors will require a lot of amenities at Lüderitz.
Green hydrogen and the discovery of oil are instilling hope in Lüderitz, as these industries promise significant development.
The realisation of these ambitious projects hinges on substantial support from the central government, particularly in terms of crucial infrastructure and town expansion.
Lüderitz is set to host the green hydrogen industry, while the revelation of over 11 billion barrels of offshore oil reserves in the Atlantic Ocean is expected to catalyse the town’s growth.
