MUNICIPALITY OF WALVIS BAY TABLES N$1.6 BILLION BUDGET WITH NO INCREASE TO WATER SALES AND RATES AND TAXES
Posted: 8 May 2026
The Municipality of Walvis Bay has tabled a N$1.6 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, maintaining a strong focus on land development, infrastructure investment and service delivery, while keeping water tariffs, property rates and taxes unchanged.
The budget was presented during a Council meeting held on Friday, 07 May 2026 at the Council Chambers in Walvis Bay. It was delivered by the Chairperson of the Management Committee, Councillor Ephraim Shozi, who emphasised that the fiscal framework is designed to support long-term development priorities and improve service delivery across the town.
“This budget reflects our commitment to accelerating development, improving infrastructure and responding directly to the needs of our communities,” Councillor Shozi said. “At the same time, we have taken a deliberate decision to protect residents from additional financial pressure by keeping key tariffs unchanged.”
The proposed budget comprises a Capital Budget of N$883 million and an Operating Budget of N$690 million.
A significant portion of the Capital Budget has been directed towards land development, which accounts for 34% or N$299 million of total capital expenditure. According to Council, this allocation reaffirms land delivery as a key driver of economic growth and urban development.
Major land development allocations include N$25 million for Naraville Extension 11, N$52 million for Naraville Extension 8, and N$180 million for the development of Farm 37.
Councillor Shozi described land development as central to addressing housing demand and unlocking investment opportunities. “Access to serviced land remains one of the most critical enablers of economic participation and dignified living conditions,” he said.
Infrastructure repair and replacement received the second-largest allocation, amounting to N$249 million, or 28% of the Capital Budget. This will be used for the upgrading and rehabilitation of roads, water infrastructure, sewer networks and public facilities.
The remaining capital allocations include Service Delivery Projects at 12%, Social Projects at 12%, Vehicle Replacement and New Acquisitions at 13%, and 1% allocated to operating capital-related expenditure financed through revenue.
Council also confirmed plans to improve operational efficiency through the acquisition of five new refuse removal trucks to strengthen waste collection services, following challenges linked to an ageing fleet and recurring breakdowns.
On tariffs, the Municipality proposed a 3% increase for refuse removal and sanitation services for the new financial year. However, no increases have been proposed for water sales or property rates and taxes, a decision Council says is aimed at supporting households and sustaining economic recovery.
“The decision to limit tariff increases was taken with careful consideration of current economic conditions and the need to support both households and businesses,” Shozi said.
The budget is aligned with the Municipality’s Strategic Plan for the period 01 July 2026 to June 2031 and supports broader national development priorities, including infrastructure development, capable governance and inclusive economic growth.
Public input also played a key role in shaping the budget, following a series of community consultation meetings held in March 2026. Residents and stakeholders were given the opportunity to raise concerns and highlight development priorities in their respective areas, which were incorporated into the planning process.
