Across Namibia, rural-urban migration has become one of the most noticeable changes in our social and economic landscape. 

From small villages in the far north to remote settlements in the deep south, families are gradually breaking apart as working-age adults move to towns seeking jobs, better schools and healthcare. 

Those left behind often face a future with limited opportunities, with land that has potential but remains underused. 

Meanwhile, some rural areas are expanding into unplanned villages, overextending services and creating long-term planning challenges for the government. In the southern regions, the reality is stark. These areas are among the driest in Namibia, with harsh climatic conditions, limited water sources and vast distances between settlements. 

Large-scale agriculture is difficult, and economic activity is minimal beyond subsistence farming and small livestock production. 

Without a reliable water supply and infrastructure, attracting investment is challenging. As a result, many communities here have seen little development over the years, with young people leaving as soon as they finish school. 

The northern regions, although more fertile in some areas, face a different but equally urgent set of challenges. 

Higher population density stresses communal grazing lands and raises the risk of overuse. Unplanned settlement growth along major roads and near water sources has led to patterns of urban sprawl in rural areas, making it expensive for the government to provide basic services. 

The expansion of informal and semi-formal villages without economic bases risks creating long-term poverty traps.

Against this backdrop, the question arises: could monetising communal land provide a way forward? The concept is not about selling communal land or taking it away from the people.Rather, it is about finding ways for that land to generate regular income for communities while keeping it under communal ownership. This can take many forms. 

In the south, where the sun is constant and the wind reliable, communal land could be leased to renewable energy companies for solar and wind farms, with rental income flowing back into the community. 

In both the north and south, eco-tourism ventures could be developed around cultural heritage sites, wildlife areas or unique landscapes, with local people employed as guides, service providers and managers. 

Grazing schemes, where farmers pay modest fees into a communal fund, could be used to maintain boreholes, improve rangeland and manage livestock numbers sustainably. The benefits of such an approach are clear. 

When communal land generates income, communities can invest in their priorities – be it schools, clinics, roads or water infrastructure. 

Local employment opportunities mean fewer young people need to leave home to find work. Properly planned and managed development prevents the random growth of villages and protects agricultural and grazing areas from being lost to settlement sprawl. 

With strong management and oversight, monetisation could transform communal land from a survival resource into an engine for rural development.

Of course, there are risks. 

Monetisation without transparency can breed conflict, particularly if benefits are not shared fairly. Poorly structured agreements with outside investors could see communities locked into unfavourable deals for decades. 

Without proper legal safeguards and clear roles for traditional authorities, land boards and community trusts, the system could be open to abuse. That is why any move towards monetisation must be accompanied by capacity-building, strong governance, and honest consultation with those who live on and depend on the land. For too long, the southern regions have been overlooked in development planning, and the northern regions have been left to grapple with overcrowding and land pressure without long-term solutions. 

Monetising communal land is not a magic fix, but it is a strategy that, if carefully designed and fairly implemented, could give rural Namibians a chance to thrive without having to leave their homes. 

It could slow the growth of informal settlements, create stable community incomes, ensuring that rural areas are not just places people come from but places where they choose to stay and build a future.

The question, then, is whether Namibia is ready to take this step – not just in policy but in practice. Do we have the courage to view communal land not as an obstacle to development but as one of our greatest untapped opportunities?

*Alina Valentina Betuel is a land use planner who is passionate about sustainable land management and rural development. She advocates for practical solutions to reduce rural-urban migration and ensure equitable use of communal land in Namibia. You can reach her at betuelalina@gmail.com