Social sector takes up 62% of N$88bn budget

Namibia’s FY2026/27 national budget, estimated at approximately N$88 billion excluding interest payments, is overwhelmingly weighted towards social services, with 61.7% of total expenditure channelled to education, health and social protection.

The social sector receives N$54.3 billion, underscoring government’s insistence that human capital development remains the cornerstone of long-term economic stability and inclusive growth.

The ministry of education receives the single largest allocation in the entire budget at N$28 billion.

Of that amount, N$2.8 billion is earmarked for subsidised tertiary education and efforts to ease congestion in schools, while N$939 million is set aside for development projects. Over the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), the education vote will absorb N$83.6 billion.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services is allocated N$13.1 billion for FY2026/27. This includes N$259 million specifically for the recruitment of health professionals. Over the MTEF period, the ministry is expected to receive N$38.5 billion to upgrade public hospitals and clinics to standards comparable with those in the private sector.

Sports, youth and national services receives N$750 million, reflecting continued emphasis on youth empowerment amid persistent unemployment pressures.

Veteran affairs is allocated N$1.5 billion for the fiscal year, with N$4.6 billion set aside over the MTEF.

In addition, the ministry of finance’s allocation includes N$447 million to fund a N$100 increase in the monthly old-age grant, effective 1 April 2026. Pensioners will now receive N$1700 monthly.

Safety and security second

The second-largest sectoral allocation goes to safety and security, which receives N$17 billion, representing 19.5% of total expenditure excluding interest payments.

Within this sector, the defence ministry is allocated N$7.5 billion, including N$587 million for development expenditure.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security receives N$8.1 billion. The funding covers the recruitment of correctional officers, the training of 2 033 police cadets and the recruitment of an additional 2 000 police cadets.

The Judiciary receives N$512 million, including N$78 million earmarked for personnel expenditure for judges and magistrates, who recently demanded better remuneration. The justice ministry is allocated N$460.8 million.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) receives N$109 million, of which N$10 million is directed towards filling critical posts, while the Office of the Attorney General receives N$267 million.

Limited allocation for economic growth

By contrast, the economic sector accounts for just 8% of total expenditure excluding interest payments, equivalent to roughly N$7 billion.

This funding is intended to support productive sectors and stimulate economic activity.

Agriculture and land reform receives N$1.8 billion, including a development budget of N$478 million. External funding of N$218 million will support agricultural mechanisation, seed improvement and communal land development.

Water and marine resources is allocated N$1 billion, with N$579 million from the development budget. External funding includes N$257 million for rural water supply coverage and N$865 million for water security infrastructure.

The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy receives N$826.7 million, including N$320 million from the development budget, to accelerate rural electrification and improve access to electricity.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism receives N$736.8 million.

Infrastructure and administration

The infrastructure sector accounts for 4% of total expenditure, or roughly N$3.5 billion.

The transport ministry receives N$2.1 billion from the State Revenue Fund, supplemented by N$1.6 billion in external loans and grants and N$2.4 billion in fuel levy revenues dedicated to road construction through the Road Fund Administration.

Works, which resorts under the same ministry, receives N$593 million for FY2026/27.

The administrative sector receives N$6.1 billion, representing 7% of total expenditure.

Within this sector, the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development receives N$1.9 billion, including N$744 million for development projects.

The Presidency is allocated N$1.2 billion, while the Office of the Prime Minister receives N$535 million.

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade receives N$1.4 billion, including N$94 million for the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).

The National Assembly receives N$416 million, the National Council N$134 million, the Office of the Auditor General N$133 million, the labour and industrial relations N$231 million, and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) N$181 million.

The Ministry of Finance receives N$12.9 billion. This includes allocations for the old-age grant increase, remuneration adjustments for political office bearers amounting to N$58 million, and N$140 million for contingency provisions.