Swakopmund construction cools after 2024 surge

Construction activity in Swakopmund resulted in property purchases, new builds and improvements valued at N$915 million in 2025, according to the Namibia Building Statistics report for December released by Simonis Storm While the figure confirms sustained construction momentum in the coastal town, it represents a marked slowdown compared with 2024, when approvals were inflated by several large, once-off hospitality and industrial developments. On a year-to-date basis, approved building values were N$1.76 billion lower than last year, reflecting a more normalised and sustainable pipeline, Simonis Storm said.In December alone, the value of approved building plans in Swakopmund declined to N$88 million, down 29.2% month-on-month from November. Quarterly values also softened, easing from N$299 million to N$256 million by year-end.Despite weaker approvals, construction completions strengthened notably. Swakopmund recorded 102 completed projects valued at N$126 million in December, the highest monthly value and volume of completions for the year.“Residential construction dominated activity,” Simonis Storm said, noting the completion of 30 new houses, 23 extensions and 43 new flats, alongside two institutional buildings and one industrial and one commercial project.The performance points to resilient underlying demand in the coastal housing market, supported by lifestyle migration, rental demand and growing economic activity linked to logistics and hospitality, the firm said.Windhoek mixed, values hold upIn Windhoek, approved building values reached N$3.0 billion in 2025, significantly higher than the N$2.2 billion recorded in the same period last year. Simonis Storm said this indicated that substantial investment commitments were secured earlier in the year, cushioning the capital from short-term volatility.On a monthly basis, approved values in Windhoek edged down 3% month-on-month to N$123 million in December, while quarterly approved values rose sharply to N$737 million, suggesting a shift towards higher-capital projects entering the pipeline.However, completed activity softened. Windhoek recorded 35 completed projects valued at N$26 million in December, down sharply from November and well below the February peak.“Activity was dominated by additions and alterations rather than new builds, reflecting cautious investment behaviour amid ongoing economic uncertainty,” Simonis Storm said.Overall, the firm said construction activity remains uneven, with Windhoek subdued while Swakopmund continues to benefit from structural coastal demand and early positioning ahead of longer-term energy, logistics and port-related investments.

Swakopmund construction cools after 2024 surge

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-19

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Swakopmund construction cools after 2024 surge

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-19

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