By: Loise Shiimi
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for concerted efforts to improve sanitation services, which are vital for maintaining dignity, public health, and overall well-being in communities.
She highlighted that water scarcity and sanitation challenges can lead to migration and displacement, potentially triggering internal and cross-border conflicts.
“To prevent such conflicts, targeted and results-oriented investments must be made to ensure sustainable water sources,” she stated.
Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed these sentiments during the African Union’s Africa Water Investment Program Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday.
In her remarks about sanitation, she highlighted its role in ensuring dignity, good health, and quality of life.
“Many communities across the continent still lack basic sanitation, a situation that has long been overlooked. Now that we have recognised this as a priority, we highly recommend investments in sanitation programs and projects,” she noted.
She also reflected on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Nandi-Ndaitwah mentioned that Namibia has adopted the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, which focuses on providing sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene through integrated planning, community involvement, and national targets for 2030.
“This policy also stresses the importance of environmental sustainability and the efficient use of water resources. Such policies are exactly what African countries and development partners should invest in and seek funding for,” she stated.
The President expressed hope that Africa’s commitments and renewed enthusiasm for action will succeed in raising the necessary funds to ensure water security and sanitation for all across the continent. She further announced that Namibia is proud to host the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) as it relocates its headquarters to the country.
“This development reflects growing confidence in our commitment to sustainable water management and regional cooperation. We look forward to collaborating with partners to meaningfully advance water security and safe sanitation for all in Africa,” she said.
In 2023, Namibia co-chaired the African Union’s Africa Water Investment Program International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, which was supported by the “Africa’s Rising Investment Tide” and the “Africa Water Investment Action Plan” reports.
Regarding these two documents, Nandi-Ndaitwah explained that they provide guidelines for AU member states, their development partners, and the private sector on how to mobilise the additional US$30 billion per year needed for climate-resilient water and sustainable sanitation in Africa by 2030.
“Therefore, commitments must be made, and resources mobilised, with the goal of closing the water investment gap to ensure the effective implementation of the Africa Water Investment Program High-Level Panel Investment Action Plan and the UN 2023 Water Action Agenda in Africa,” asserted the President.
The 2023 Population and Housing Census Main Report, released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) in late 2024, indicates that sanitation continues to be a key challenge in Namibia. Approximately 40% to 42.6% of households in the country lack access to proper toilet facilities and resort to open defecation.
