The Keetmanshoop Municipality is developing bulk infrastructure to service 30 industrial erven at a cost of N$19,3 million, with the project fully pre-financed by Nota Investment CC in collaboration with Standard Bank Namibia.
This was revealed by Keetmanshoop Mayor Emrico Blaauw in an NBC interview.
Blaauw said the project started towards the end of last year, with Nota Investment CC appointed as the contractor.
The development aims to unlock investment-ready industrial land, attract private sector investment and support local industrial expansion without relying on central government funding.
The project involves installing water and sewer reticulation, medium- and low-voltage electricity distribution, a 500-kilowatt mini-substation, street lighting, paved roads and stormwater drainage on the remainder of Er 2292, Extension 19.
The first citizen highlighted that the construction cost is N$16 million and N$800,000, excluding VAT, bringing the total to N$19 million and N$300,000 and N$20,000, including VAT.
Under the financial arrangement, the project requires no upfront capital investment from the municipality, which will instead make monthly repayments of N$300,000 and N$50,000 over 48 months.
"The development accelerates local economic growth by, number one, unlocking 30 serviced industrial plots for commercial and manufacturing investment; number two, expanding the municipal property rates and services revenue base; and number three, creating direct construction and employment and long-term secondary jobs once business operation commences."
Blaauw said the project has employed 18 people, all local residents recruited from Keetmanshoop. They include general and skilled workers such as plumbers, bricklayers and site operators.
He added that the project experienced a 21-day delay in June 2026 due to flooding in the trenches but has since reached 80% completion.
"Essential bulk reticulation stands are near completion, with sewer installation at 100%, the water reticulation also at 100%, the electrical installation at 100% and the roads currently in progress there at the site."
Blaauw said the site handover will take place after final electrical commissioning and road paving, with completion expected by the end of October 2026.