Executive summary
- In January 2024, the City of Windhoek approved a total of 76 building plans, valued at a combined N$ 53,825,780 (as illustrated in Figure 1)
- These approvals included 50 addition plans, 19 house plans, 4 wall plans, and 3 commercial plans
- Compared to December 2023 (as depicted in Figure 2), the total number of approved building plans experienced a decline of 27%
- During the review month, 31 buildings were completed in Windhoek, with a total value of N$ 47,366,391
- The overall number of completed buildings displayed an increase of 35% compared to those completed in December 2023
Analysis
- The annual sum of approved building plans for Windhoek continues to exhibit a downward trend, measuring 11.6%.
- The highest concentration of approved building plans for the month was observed within the Windhoek suburbs, totaling 17 plans. This compilation comprised 12 addition plans, 4 house plans, and 1 commercial plan with a cumulative value of N$ 12,883,000.
- Khomasdal emerged as the second-highest locality in terms of approved building plans with a total of 9 plans valued at N$ 2,440,000, followed by Goreangab with a total of 8 plans valued at N$ 1,413,000.
Figure 1: Monthly Building Plans Approved Vs. Buildings Completed, Windhoek (January 2023 – January 2024)
Source: CoW & HEI RESEARCH
Figure 2: Building Plans Approved Monthly % Growth Rates, Windhoek (January 2023 – January 2024)
Source: CoW & HEI RESEARCH
Outlook
- Building plans are used as a proxy to measure construction activities in the country
- The construction sector has been contracting every year since 2016 when major construction projects in the mining sector came to an end and the Government commenced with fiscal consolidation
We anticipate modest growth in the short to medium term as construction activities linked to oil mining and green hydrogen projects gain momentum