The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has handed over 57 desktop computers and printers to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) for distribution to local authorities.
The equipment is intended to strengthen the digital capacity of local authorities to implement and effectively utilise the Namibia Housing Information System (NHIS).
MURD’s Deputy Executive Director for Sub-national Government and Traditional Authority Affairs, Godwin Sikabongo, who delivered remarks on behalf of Executive Director Dr. Wilhelmine Shivute, said the occasion represents much more than just a handover of ICT equipment.
“It signifies a deliberate investment in strengthening the institutional and digital capacity of local authorities and ultimately in improving Namibia's ability to collect, manage, update and utilise credible housing and land information for evidence-based planning and informed decision-making.”
Sikabongo stated that reliable housing and land data are critical for understanding housing needs, land availability, housing demand and informal settlement dynamics, while enabling the government to plan and allocate resources more effectively.
Statistician-General and CEO of the NSA, Alex Shimuafeni, said the handover is the second consignment of ICT equipment provided to local authorities, following the distribution of 57 Wi-Fi devices during the 2025/26 financial year.
“It is intended to strengthen the availability and accessibility of standardized housing-related statistics across the country and to support policy and decision-making at national, regional, and local authority levels. With the NHIS system, once it is fully updated by the capturing of the data by all local authorities, this will then allow us to start having an official figure or discussion about an official figure on the national housing demand, or the national waiting list, or the national housing backlog.”
Shimuafeni explained that the equipment will facilitate data capturing, verification, updating and reporting, while also supporting the digitisation of A1-sized building plans through three large scanners.
MURD and the NSA have urged beneficiaries to safeguard the equipment and ensure that the information entered into the system is accurate, complete and regularly updated.