NIDA owes Keetmanshoop municipality nearly N$4.2 million

By: Hertha Ekandjo

The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) has confirmed that it owes the Keetmanshoop municipality approximately N$4.2 million in outstanding water and electricity charges as of end of January 2026.

NIDA spokesperson, Wessel !Nanuseb, says the outstanding electricity bill currently amounts to N$2.8 million, while water stands at N$1.4 million.

In a letter dated 10 February 2025, the Keetmanshoop municipality noted that NIDA owed them N$3.9 million, however the amount of debt has since accumulated to approximately N$4.2 over the past twelve months.

Responding to questions by NewsOnOne, !Nanuseb said engagements between NIDA and the Keetmanshoop municipality began in February 2025 and are ongoing, as the parties have not yet reached a final settlement agreement.

“The electricity bill outstanding amounts to N$2.8 million, whereas the water bill outstanding amounts to N$1.4 million, totalling N$4.2 million as at the end of January 2026,” !Nanuseb said.

According to !Nanuseb, the agency initiated monthly payments of N$100 000 towards the debt, with the last payment made in November 2025.

“Considering the outstanding amount and the recurrent monthly accounts, settling the total debt will take a lengthy period. I therefore cannot give a definite timeframe for when the settlement will be reached,” he said.

He added that the challenge of municipal arrears is not unique to Keetmanshoop, but affects NIDA facilities across the country.

To address the situation, !Nanuseb said the agency plans to install prepaid electricity meters, noting that electricity usage accounts for the bulk of the outstanding debt.

Internally, NIDA will also strengthen its debt collection efforts and, in the longer term, move to evict defaulting tenants within the shortest possible legal timeframe.

!Nanuseb attributed the accumulation of the debt largely to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw many tenants failing to honour their rental obligations.