PM says Kavango West decentralisation rollout urgent

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says the slow pace of decentralisation in Kavango West undermines service delivery and places an unnecessary burden on residents.

Speaking at the Nkurenkuru Expo 2026 gala dinner on Saturday, Ngurare said the vision behind the creation of Kavango West more than a decade ago can only be fully realised if government services are physically rooted in the region.

“Government must be present where the people are,” Ngurare said, adding that decentralisation should move beyond policy to “visible infrastructure and active institutions".

“Nkurenkuru must become a real hub of administration, commerce and investment,” he said.

Ngurare stressed that decentralisation of government services to the region is not only about improving access to services but also about injecting economic activity into local communities through jobs, procurement and infrastructure development.

“Our people should not be travelling hundreds of kilometres for basic government services,” he said.

Untapped potential

Beyond governance reform, the Prime Minister described the region’s fertile land as an underutilised national asset.

He said the region could lead in food production, agro-processing and value addition, particularly if investment is directed into irrigation systems, storage facilities and commercial farming infrastructure.

“Kavango West has enormous potential,” he said.

“Potential must be transformed into production, investment and jobs,” he stressed.

The prime minister also highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, tourism, manufacturing, logistics and housing development.

Ngurare also underscored the role of young entrepreneurs, calling for improved access to finance, training and markets to help them participate meaningfully in the regional economy.

He said the upcoming Nkurenkuru Expo, set for 24 July to 2 August, should serve as a strategic platform for investment promotion and partnership building aimed at accelerating development in Kavango West.

While pushing for economic expansion, he cautioned that development must respect and preserve cultural identity, saying economic growth and culture should progress together.

“Development and cultural preservation must go hand in hand,” he said.