EDITORIAL: Namibia must make debt work for development

Borrowing money is not necessarily a bad thing. Governments across the world use debt to finance development, but the difference lies in whether that borrowing creates economic opportunities or merely leaves future generations with bills to pay.Namibia's growing debt burden raises an important question about what lasting economic benefits we are getting from the billions borrowed over the years.Debt should finance infrastructure that creates jobs, supports businesses and expands the country's productive capacity. Irrigation schemes that put unused agricultural land into production, rural roads connecting farmers to markets, reliable electricity for industries and railway improvements that reduce transport costs are examples of investments capable of generating economic returns.Projects must respond to what communities and the economy actually need, rather than political considerations or the desire to announce expensive developments.Borrowing to finance productive infrastructure can help expand the tax base, allowing government to meet its obligations without continually increasing pressure on existing taxpayers.As Namibia confronts rising interest payments and borrowing requirements, the challenge is not simply to reduce debt but to ensure that every dollar borrowed delivers lasting value. Debt must build an economy capable of paying it back.

EDITORIAL: Namibia must make debt work for development

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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EDITORIAL: Namibia must make debt work for development

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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