Windhoek could see the development of a new residential city in its northern locations under the proposed Monte Christo Affordable Housing Development.

More than 50,260 housing plots have been for residential area development purposes by private developers.

The Monte Christo city project, involving Nuvella, Emeraldsands Platforms and Zimbabwean property developer WestProp Holdings, was presented to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House.

It comes as the government faces pressure to meet its target of building 50,000 houses over five years.

With one year of the administration already gone, President Nandi-Ndaitwah wants a clear review of progress towards the 50,000 housing target.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah said, "So we have a very big gap in terms of housing, and this administration has committed itself to give 50,000 houses in five years. So we are assessing ourselves because one year has passed, because one can mathematically say every year 10,000 houses need to be built."

Nuvella, a local property development company, says it acquired 3,811 hectares of land about 16 years ago and has since secured development approvals covering 50,260 building plots.

The company has partnered with WestProp Holdings, which has experience in developing large-scale urban settlements in Zimbabwe.

The developers propose beginning construction at the start of 2027, subject to the necessary government arrangements, assisted by Emeraldsand Platforms.

"We are ready. All the permits are there, and your good government allowed us 50,260 building plots on that piece of land. In January we can start, and it will be that many thousands of houses can be built in no time at very affordable pricing," stated Chairman of Nuvella, Paul Van De Vijver.

WestProp's Chief Executive Officer, Ken Sharpe, says the development intends to cater to different income groups.

Properties could range from entry-level homes to high-end housing and help address informal settlements through planned urban development.

"So from entry level, maybe N$300,000 for a property, up to N$1 million for the higher end. So it's a city where all types of people in society can live together."

The proposed development would further require direct access from the B1 highway rather than routing traffic through Katutura.

"We're saying to the government the existing informal settlement, which is called Katutura, is a disaster. It's a national disaster, and the government has a responsibility to fix it. We can assist as the private sector does."

The proposed Monte Christo development is the latest initiative from the private sector, since the government called for cooperation to clear the estimated 500,000 housing backlog in the country.