The Outapi Mayoral Dinner has raised over half a million dollars towards the development of its informal settlements and the construction of an open market for vendors.
 
Currently, Outapi has a population of about 15,000 people, and the town continues to grow rapidly due to rural-urban migration.

This has resulted in the expansion of its informal settlements and the need to formalise them to ensure that people have decent shelter and improved living conditions.
 
Speaking at the fundraising dinner, Prime Minister Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that effective public service is not only crucial for quality services, but it also fosters economic development and growth.

She said to address the various challenges facing them, local authorities should find alternative ways to enhance their capacity to deliver services to the inhabitants and to optimise development in their towns.

"Besides the mayor's fundraising initiative, there is a need to embrace other financing options such as public-private partnerships in order to accelerate development in local areas and harness their potential to increase economic activity in their localities and support national economic growth."

Outapi Mayor Selma Asino - Shaumbwako says despite the town's efforts to provide better services, a lack of funds remains a challenge.
 
She called on both the public and private sectors to assist in the growth of the town through investment opportunities as well as public-private partnerships.

"We have a challenge of high land demand. People flock out of villages to come and stay in towns. Inadequate funds for the provision of services means a lack of proper ablution facilities in informal settlement areas.

NamWater made the largest pledge of N$200,000.00.