Chamwe Kaira
The government says infrastructure funding must follow existing procurement and borrowing laws and cannot be sourced through unsolicited proposals from private individuals or companies.
Ministry of Finance executive director Oscar Capelão said the ministry has recently received several funding proposals from private entities and agents representing investors interested in financing projects in Namibia.
Some of the proposals included requests by investors to finance specific infrastructure projects while also appointing contractors to implement them on behalf of the government.
Capelão said the government recognises that such proposals could help support national infrastructure development.
However, he stressed that all funding and borrowing arrangements must comply with Namibia’s legal and procurement requirements.
“In view of the above, the Ministry of Finance would like to inform the public that the government does not borrow money for funding for projects from unsolicited bids through individuals, private companies or agents acting on behalf of private companies or individuals,” said Capelão.
Namibia’s total financing requirement for the 2026/27 financial year stands at N$29.22 billion, which represents about 10.2% of gross domestic product.
The amount includes a fiscal deficit of N$15.78 billion and debt repayments that the government must settle during the financial year.
To meet these obligations, government plans net domestic borrowing of N$20.22 billion, increasing reliance on local financial markets.
Capelão explained that infrastructure projects fall under the National Planning Commission (NPC), which operates under the National Planning Commission Act of 2013.
The law requires the commission to assess, monitor and evaluate development projects submitted by government offices, ministries and agencies before recommending them for funding.
He said public borrowing is regulated under the State Finance Act of 1991, which gives the finance minister authority to borrow money locally or internationally to finance budget deficits, capital projects and foreign currency needs.
The government is also allowed to issue treasury bills, bonds and other debt instruments.
Capelão further said the Public Procurement Act of 2015 requires state funding and procurement processes to follow competitive bidding procedures.
This includes fundraising through domestic and international financial markets as well as engagement with foreign governments.
The ministry encouraged local and foreign investors interested in financing infrastructure projects in Namibia to participate in treasury bill and bond auctions conducted weekly by the Bank of Namibia.
Capelão added that investors may also participate in international bond issuances announced publicly through government-appointed arrangers.
