Windhoek faces N$2.67b road maintenance backlog
Over 26 000 potholes repaired since February
Despite challenges, the Windhoek municipality is pushing numerous projects and implementing new technology aimed at modernising services and improving infrastructure delivery.
The City of Windhoek is grappling with a staggering N$2.67 billion backlog in road and stormwater infrastructure maintenance, as deteriorating road surfaces, potholes and ageing infrastructure pose growing challenges to municipal service delivery.
The scale of the problem was disclosed during a stakeholders engagement meeting last week with representatives from the Windhoek West and East communities, as well as the Windhoek Rate and Taxpayers Association.
Municipal officials said the municipality was allocated N$45 million from the Road Fund Administration for the 2025–26 financial year.
This followed successful negotiations to raise the usual allocation for routine road maintenance from an average of N$15 million, the city confirmed.
However, this falls far short of the N$384 million required annually to maintain and rehabilitate the capital’s road network to acceptable standards.
Stakeholders were told that more than 650 streets currently suffer severe surface wear, potholes and structural damage requiring urgent intervention.
Despite these challenges, the City has repaired over 26 000 potholes since February, using internal resources and two appointed contractors to ensure citywide coverage.
Nevertheless, the backlog continues to mount, compounded by rain damage and the high cost of road-building materials.
Two key bridge culverts, already damaged and posing safety risks, are awaiting reconstruction at an estimated cost of N$30 million, the City noted.
Multiple upgrades underway
The municipality is pressing ahead with several major road projects in response to the worsening state of infrastructure.
These include the dualisation of Peter Nanyemba Road (formerly Monte Christo Road), Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Road (formerly Otjomuise Road), and Auas Road from the truck port to Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue.
Officials explained that these corridors, once upgraded, are expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce wear and tear on nearby secondary roads.
Upgrades are also underway at key intersections across the city to address increased traffic volumes and improve pedestrian safety.
Non-collector roads in high-density areas, such as Eveline Street, are being rehabilitated to support local business activity and enhance commuter mobility.
Rainy season damage
In the area of stormwater infrastructure, the City revealed that it needs an additional N$353 million, on top of regular road maintenance budgets, to respond to flood damage caused by the most recent rainy season.
This includes restoring damaged culverts and drainage channels, particularly in areas vulnerable to flash flooding.
Meanwhile, progress is being made on other fronts.
Over 11 500 building plans were approved over the past financial year, representing a combined investment value of N$9.9 billion.
These projects range from residential complexes to commercial and public infrastructure. The City is also piloting an online building submission system, which is currently undergoing final testing.
Buses and waste management
Public transport remains a key focus of ongoing investments.
The municipality transported approximately 1.6 million passengers over the past year, using a fleet of buses covering 30 routes.
To modernise fare collection and reduce revenue leakages, an automated fare collection system is set to be implemented before the end of the year.
The City acknowledged that waste management continues to face challenges due to fleet shortages, with daily truck availability frequently below operational needs.
Despite this, municipal workers collect over 55 000 green bins and 430 skip containers every week.
The City has also taken over the clear-bag recycling system from a private contractor, with a pilot phase now underway to assess its scalability.
As part of long-term planning, the City confirmed that public consultations on the draft urban structure plan will kick off on 19 August.
The plan is set to guide infrastructure investment and urban development across Windhoek’s rapidly growing population.
The scale of the problem was disclosed during a stakeholders engagement meeting last week with representatives from the Windhoek West and East communities, as well as the Windhoek Rate and Taxpayers Association.
Municipal officials said the municipality was allocated N$45 million from the Road Fund Administration for the 2025–26 financial year.
This followed successful negotiations to raise the usual allocation for routine road maintenance from an average of N$15 million, the city confirmed.
However, this falls far short of the N$384 million required annually to maintain and rehabilitate the capital’s road network to acceptable standards.
Stakeholders were told that more than 650 streets currently suffer severe surface wear, potholes and structural damage requiring urgent intervention.
Despite these challenges, the City has repaired over 26 000 potholes since February, using internal resources and two appointed contractors to ensure citywide coverage.
Nevertheless, the backlog continues to mount, compounded by rain damage and the high cost of road-building materials.
Two key bridge culverts, already damaged and posing safety risks, are awaiting reconstruction at an estimated cost of N$30 million, the City noted.
Multiple upgrades underway
The municipality is pressing ahead with several major road projects in response to the worsening state of infrastructure.
These include the dualisation of Peter Nanyemba Road (formerly Monte Christo Road), Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Road (formerly Otjomuise Road), and Auas Road from the truck port to Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue.
Officials explained that these corridors, once upgraded, are expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce wear and tear on nearby secondary roads.
Upgrades are also underway at key intersections across the city to address increased traffic volumes and improve pedestrian safety.
Non-collector roads in high-density areas, such as Eveline Street, are being rehabilitated to support local business activity and enhance commuter mobility.
Rainy season damage
In the area of stormwater infrastructure, the City revealed that it needs an additional N$353 million, on top of regular road maintenance budgets, to respond to flood damage caused by the most recent rainy season.
This includes restoring damaged culverts and drainage channels, particularly in areas vulnerable to flash flooding.
Meanwhile, progress is being made on other fronts.
Over 11 500 building plans were approved over the past financial year, representing a combined investment value of N$9.9 billion.
These projects range from residential complexes to commercial and public infrastructure. The City is also piloting an online building submission system, which is currently undergoing final testing.
Buses and waste management
Public transport remains a key focus of ongoing investments.
The municipality transported approximately 1.6 million passengers over the past year, using a fleet of buses covering 30 routes.
To modernise fare collection and reduce revenue leakages, an automated fare collection system is set to be implemented before the end of the year.
The City acknowledged that waste management continues to face challenges due to fleet shortages, with daily truck availability frequently below operational needs.
Despite this, municipal workers collect over 55 000 green bins and 430 skip containers every week.
The City has also taken over the clear-bag recycling system from a private contractor, with a pilot phase now underway to assess its scalability.
As part of long-term planning, the City confirmed that public consultations on the draft urban structure plan will kick off on 19 August.
The plan is set to guide infrastructure investment and urban development across Windhoek’s rapidly growing population.
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