Inadequate Water and Sanitation Cost Namibia N$4.5 Billion Annually

 

 

By: Hertha Ekandjo

 

Namibia suffers an annual economic loss estimated at N$4.5 billion due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services, commonly referred to as WASH.

This figure represents approximately 1.8% of the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2023, with 0.6% attributed to urban areas and 1.2% to rural regions.

A joint Policy Brief released in 2023 by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform revealed these staggering costs associated with inadequate WASH services.

The annual economic and financial contributions of insufficient WASH services are estimated at N$3.8 billion and N$648.8 million, respectively.