Data must drive housing solutions, Shimuafeni says

The inaugural Namibia Informal Settlements Baseline Report, released in July 2025, consolidates data from 57 local authorities under a unified national housing database, offering verified figures on settlement numbers, population estimates and declaration status.

In the foreword to the baseline report, statistician general Alex Shimuafeni framed the exercise as a turning point in data-driven governance.

“This baseline represents a critical advancement in strengthening the national statistical infrastructure and promoting evidence-based governance,” Shimuafeni stated.

For years, informal settlement figures were fragmented and inconsistent across municipalities, complicating planning and infrastructure investment.

Credible data

The baseline standardises definitions and classifications under the Namibia Housing Information System, providing what Shimuafeni described as "a credible reference point from which government and stakeholders can monitor progress and design targeted interventions".

The report confirms informal settlements in every region, underscoring the structural impact of rapid urbanisation.

Shimuafeni emphasised that data alone will not resolve the housing crisis in Namibia. “Accurate, timely and reliable data remains the cornerstone of effective policy formulation and implementation,” he wrote.

He added that translating statistics into improved living conditions requires institutional commitment. “It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to translate these statistical insights into practical and sustainable solutions.”