OMUTHIYA – Swapo Party member of Parliament (MP) Fenny Nanyeni has called for Namibia’s borrowing strategies to prioritise capital formation over consumption during her contribution to the 2025/26 national budget debate.
Nanyeni expressed concern over the N$13.7 billion allocation for debt servicing out of the total N$106.3 billion budget for the current financial year.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, she emphasised the growing disparity between Namibia’s consumption of borrowed funds and its investment in development.
“For the third year running, our development vote is lagging on debt servicing,” she stated.
Nanyeni said budget ratios indicate a prioritisation of debt and salaries over crucial social, developmental infrastructure, and job creation.
“This is not sustainable as the development budget is our most important tool for inclusive socio-economic development and unlocking economic opportunities,” she said.
Nanyeni also raised concerns about the N$12.8 billion allocated to the development budget.
“That means only 12% of our budget goes into building the roads, schools, hospitals, water, electricity, and rural infrastructure that our people need most,” she said.
Nanyeni reminded her fellow MPs that a consistent allocation to the development budget is essential for fulfilling the aspirations of young Namibians.
“We cannot redress the unemployment situation in our country, which is estimated to be highest among our peers,” she concluded.
-Nampa