Namibia is a priority partner country of German Development Cooperation. Since Namibia’s independence in 1990, GTZ has been active there on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In 1994, a GTZ Office was opened in the capital Windhoek.

 Namibia's development is being hampered by a number of constraints. These include continued high unemployment and, as a result, a severely inequitable distribution of income. Despite comprehensive reforms, the quality of education in Namibia varies widely. Namibia is also facing a challenge in the shape of a land reform. Inappropriate laws on land ownership and a rapidly growing population are causing conflicts in terms of the inequitable distribution of land and the destructive exploitation of natural resources as a result of unsustainable cultivation systems. There is a major risk of overuse and growing scarcity of natural resources, above all water. Large areas are threatened by desertification.

In terms of infrastructure, the road network has been insufficiently planned and maintained, leading to an inefficient appropriation of public funds. Where health is concerned, Namibia suffers from one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa. A rapidly increasing number of AIDS orphans and insufficient HIV/AIDS awareness-raising and prevention measures are exacerbating the problem.

In the light of this situation, agreement was reached between the German and Namibian Governments that GTZ’s activities focus on the following priority areas

• Natural resources
• Transport
• Economic promotion

Besides promoting these priority areas through its programmes and projects, GTZ advises projects in the field of basic education and health (HIV/AIDS) and coordinates a number of projects of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The supra-regional convention project Proklima maintains an office in Namibia. The project implements individual measures to protect the ozone layer. GTZ uses results-based concepts and instruments to prepare, implement and evaluate technical cooperation projects in Namibia.

Downloads

• Presentation „The GTZ in Namibia“
  More information on the work of GTZ in Namibia
  en-gtz-namibia-presentation-2004.pdf, 1,65 MB (English)