Ohangwena targets N$700m investment, 7 000 jobs by 2030

Ohangwena is targeting more than N$700 million in investment and 7 000 jobs by 2030 as it seeks to drive economic growth and development in the region.

The target was announced by Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa during her State of the Region address this month.

“By 2030, the region intends to achieve investment of more than N$700 million, which will bring more than seven thousand direct jobs, especially for young people,” Hamutumwa said.

She said the region also planned to add more than 300 hospital beds by 2030 to ease pressure on health facilities.

On rural water supply, Hamutumwa said eight deep boreholes were drilled in the Oshikunde, Okongo and Omundaungilo constituencies at a total cost of N$4.6 million, achieving full completion.

A further five borehole installation projects, costing more than N$13.2 million combined, were implemented. Three have been completed, while the remaining two are underway and expected to improve water access in underserved communities.

In environment and tourism, the Okongo Conservancy generated N$61 000 in revenue from tourism and plant product activities, she said.

Hamutumwa said human-wildlife conflict remained a challenge, with N$106 000 paid in compensation to affected farmers through the Human-Wildlife Self-Reliance Scheme.

During 2025, five cattle and seven goats were lost, resulting in N$45 600 in compensation payments.

“These incidents highlighted the need to balance wildlife conservation with the livelihoods of local communities,” she said.

Key driver

The governor said agriculture continued to drive the regional economy.

During the 2025/2026 financial year, 3 635.5 hectares of farmland were ploughed, benefiting 1 817 crop farmers through mechanised ploughing, planting and weeding services.

A further 6 541 farmers received improved seed varieties and fertilisers to boost productivity and strengthen household food production.

Through the Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Scheme, 83 vegetable gardens received technical support and production inputs.

On infrastructure development, Hamutumwa said construction of the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Eenhana started on 29 April, with N$5.8 million spent by the end of the 2025/2026 financial year.

The project has an estimated cost of N$9.4 million and is expected to be completed by September.

Construction of a Business Expo Pavilion at Omafo is underway and has reached 40% completion. The project aims to stimulate the local economy.

The council also completed a stormwater channel in Ohangwena at a cost of N$1.6 million.

Hamutumwa said construction of the Home Affairs building and an ablution facility had reached 90% completion.