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Integrated SDG Insights

Namibia

UNDP’s Integrated SDG Insights explore how to achieve the SDGs by 2030. So that no one is left behind.

How To Read This Report

‘SDG Insights’ playbooks transcend development “as usual,” and leverages data innovation, AI and systems analysis to chart credible pathways that help countries meet the 2030 Agenda.

SDG Moment This section provides an overview of a country's economic growth trajectory, with new insights on sustainability and inclusiveness of growth pathways.

SDG Trends & Priorities This section builds from the foundation of national SDG progress and uses machine learning to analyse national development ambition with an SDG lens.

SDG Interlinkages Combined, these insights are mapped against SDG interlinkages to define policy choices the accelerate SDG progress, tailored to national context.

Finance & StimulusThese policy choices are made against fiscal constraints and opportunities for stimulus mapped in this section to ensure choices translate to development impact and leave no one behind.

1. SDG Moment

While economic growth is a key element in achieving the SDGs, many countries are intent on moving beyond growth as a yardstick for progress. In the short run, growth enables the SDGs; but in the long run, the SDGs aim to transform the pattern of growth itself.

GDP Growth Pathways

People

Poverty: Percentage of the population under each threshold (PPP$ a day).

Data not available.

Planet

Carbon Intensity: CO2 emissions intensity of GDP (tCO2 per PPP $1,000).

Namibia’s economy is in mitigation mode in 2023 and is projected to continue with growth rates under 3% by 2024-2025. This pace of growth is 10% lower on average than the global growth rate (and below the country's pre-pandemic growth trajectory). Given this context and the moderate pace of growth, the primary focus of SDG policy in Namibia should be to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn, particularly on the most vulnerable households.

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Despite a moderate positive impact on poverty reduction at the thresholds of $2.15 and $3.65 per day, there are still significant distributional challenges that need to be addressed to accelerate progress. Moreover, the current economic growth cycle comes at the expense of the environment with the country's carbon emissions intensity of GDP expected to increase by an annual rate of 2.2% due to fossil fuel usage.

3. SDG Interlinkages

Maps synergies and trade-offs of national priorities to the most relevant SDG targets to chart policy pathways with most potential to accelerate progress.

8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value​

With a national unemployment rate in Namibia of approximately 34%, and youth unemployment reaching 46%, it is crucial to give special attention to youth and people with disabilities when addressing the issue of decent work for all.​

Investing in SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) can help Namibia address current employment challenges to move the needle on key priority areas such as poverty eradication, zero hunger, improved health care, and education.​

Progress on target 8.5 should be supported with policies to reduce energy intensity and to increase its efficiency  to mitigate the negative impact on the share of renewable energy (Target 7.2) and energy  efficiency (Target 7.3).

9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructures, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all​

Namibia ranks 104th out of 152 countries in the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s 2020 Competitive Industrial Performance Index, down from 97th in 2019. Namibia’s industry faces several challenges, including global diamond price volatility, inadequate access to affordable and reliable infrastructure, such as electricity, transport and water supply, stringent international sanitary regulations and a shortage of labour skills. To spur industrialization, the Government is emphasizing its sustainable Special Economic Zones programme, the Growth at Home Strategy, promoting and facilitating local and foreign investments and new ventures.​

By investing in SDG 9.1 (Industry, Infrastructure and Innovation), Namibia can improve on its current employment challenges and shift its key priorities to the eradication of poverty, reducing inequality, improving the business environment and encouraging local entrepreneurship. Such initiatives, complemented with continued state support for new industries, such as green hydrogen, will increase the economy’s ability to absorb its ever-increasing youth population into the workforce.​

10.1: Progressively achieve and sustain the income of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average

Namibia is ranked as one of the most unequal countries globally, as evidenced by its high Gini coefficient of 57.6 in 2015. This social imbalance is explained by a historical legacy of apartheid, unequal  land distribution and inequitable access to resources and opportunities. ​​

To tackle these issues, the Namibian Government has implemented policies, such as the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act and the Land Reform Programme, which aim to address historical injustices and to promote inclusive growth. Furthermore, the National Planning Commission's Vision 2030 and National Development Plans prioritize inclusive and equitable development to bridge gaps and to uplift marginalized communities thereby presenting opportunities for meaningful progress in reducing inequalities.​

To address SDG target 10.1 , Namibia should prioritize tackling the underlying issues that contribute to inequities and impede shared prosperity. In that regard, it is crucial to address geographical disparities, both in terms of economic opportunities and access to social services. By reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity, Namibia can work towards a more just society.​

11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums​

Urbanization and rapid population growth present challenges in providing adequate housing, basic services and infrastructure in Namibia's cities. To tackle these issues, the Namibian Government has implemented policies, such as the National Housing Policy and the Slum Upgrading and Prevention Policy, which aim to improve housing conditions and upgrade informal settlements. ​

Progress in achieving SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), aligns with Namibia's national priorities for social progress, as outlined in the Harambee Prosperity Plan II (HPPII). Specifically, it supports the goal of providing urban land, housing and sanitation. However, gaps still exist in the current policy response. Stronger coordination between sectors is needed to address urban challenges comprehensively. ​

In addition, efforts are called for to integrate sustainable transportation systems and to enhance disaster preparedness to ensure resilient and sustainable urban development. Investing in Target 11.1 can both advance the objectives of HPP II, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the quality of settlements and ensuring access to essential services, such as electricity, water, sanitation, education, health care, roads and internet connectivity and access.​

16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

In Namibia, approximately 67% of the population are satisfied with the public services they receive. By  focusing on SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and, in particular target 16.6, measures can be a booster shot needed to promote inclusive economic growth, ensure quality, effective and equitable access to public services to the poor.  ​

Investing in SDG 16 will also inject the necessary momentum toward the focus on human rights, including strengthening national human rights institutions. This means that Namibia could set a higher ambition with  strong mechanisms of accountability in strengthening public service performance management systems. When this happens,  it will have a renewed urge to collectively deliver on the development aspirations of the country, in the spirit of “Harambee – pulling together in the same direction”. a positive multiplier effect on other SDGs. ​

15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainableuse of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

By prioritizing Target 15.1 in its 2021-2025 National Development Plan, Ecuadorreaffirmed the significance of protecting and preserving terrestrial ecosystems andtheir biodiversity. This includes recognizing that the investment projects intendedto fulfil Target 15.1 will not only contribute to achieving the SDGs 13, 14 and 15, butwill also help restore ecosystems that underpin the availability and comprehensivemanagement of water resources (SDG 6) and promote their sustainable use (Target12.2). Additionally, it will also foster the generation of new energy from renewablesources (Target 7.2).

To this end, Ecuador seeks to strengthen the management of the National Systemof Protected Areas through its 2022-2032 Strategic Plan and the implementationof the National Forest Restoration Plan 2019-2030. These instruments serve as thetechnical, legal and financial foundation for executing local forest restorationprocesses with a landscape vision, with an overall goal of covering 30,000hectares through its projects. Considering that the proportion of national territoryunder conservation or environmental management, as of 2022, stands at 22.1%, itis necessary to mobilize additional financial resources from various sources andestablish robust governance (Target 17.3) to intensify the care of protected areas.This ensures the conservation of natural and cultural resources, genetic flows, theprovision of environmental services for the benefit of the population and thealignment of policies on the ground.

Futures Scenarios

SDG Push is a futures scenario based on 48 integrated accelerators in the areas of Governance, Social Protection, Green Economy and Digital Disruption. It uses national data to explore the impact on human development by 2030 and 2050 across key SDG indicators. It does this by using ‘International Futures,’ a systems model designed to explore interactions across development systems.

Poverty <$1.90 Per Day (Number of People)

Malnourished Children Under 5 (Number Of Children)

Malnourished Children Under 5 (Number Of Children)

4. Finance and Stimulus

Many countries are facing reduced fiscal space, high debt levels, rising interest rates and downgrades on credit ratings. Fiscal and financial constraints tend to slow or even reverse SDG progress.

Namibia’s external debt servicing relative to revenue is comparatively low at an expected 4.8% this year versus an average of 12.3% for the EMMIE group. The country’s 10-year bond yield is comparatively high at 11.68%, which is 2.4 percentage points (pp) higher than the EMMIE average and higher by 7.9 pp to a 10Y US Treasury bond. Despite the low level of external debt serving ratio compared to other EMMIE, additional interest rate increases would raise the cost of financing the deficit and servicing government debt, making fiscal consolidation difficult. Furthermore, if down- side risks to economic conditions are realized, revenue outturns may be below ambitious targets amid rising pressures on spending given very high unemployment and other socioeconomic problems.​

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Namibia is using an Integrated National Financing Framework to address key fiscal and financial constraints and build a more sustainable financial architecture at the national level. Priority areas of action have been identified in the areas of Domestic revenue mobilisation (tax and non-tax), Tax administration, Public expenditure, Budgeting, Public debt, Development cooperation, Business environment/ investment promotion, Financial sector, Access to finance/ MSME financing, Fintech/ digital finance, Philanthropy/ NGOs. E.g., optimizing income tax schedule, VAT, and revenues from natural resources; updating sovereign debt management strategy; improving digital finance infrastructure, policy and regulation, ecosystem innovation; evaluating the introduction of specific Special Economic Zones/cross-border economic zones for high-priority economic industries (including Green Hydrogen / Green Ammonia and the agricultural sector, etc.).

SDG Stimulus

The UN Secretary General’s SDG Stimulus Plan lays out a blueprint for action within the existing financial architecture. It includes:

  • Providing liquidity to support recovery in the near term
  • Enhance debt relief for vulnerable countries.​
  • Expanding development financing by MDBs
  • Align financial flows with the SDGs and Paris Agreement, according to country-level priorities and needs, for example through the rollout of the UN Integrated National Financing Framework (INFFs).

Given the projected fiscal and financial constraints faced by

Namibia

possible funding options for the investments derived from the identified interlinkages are as follows:

  • Tax and revenue reform by leveraging digital technology​
  • Debt for SDGs (SDG bonds, debt sustainability, green and blue bonds, and other instruments)​
  • Climate finance​
  • Blended finance and public-private partnerships​
  • SDG-aligned business environment and investment (SDG Investor Map)​
  • Accessing financial markets and insurance​
  • International cooperation-South-South and Triangular Cooperation​
  • Leveraging the benefits and opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area through export development and economic diversification

Methodology & Data Sources

Click here to view the Methodological Note for the Integrated SDG Insights.

This report is the result of a global exercise carried out using artificial intelligence to identify SDG priorities based on 10 national government documents, together with SDG progress and SDG interlinkage analysis. The implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda in Argentina should be consulted in the Country Reports and National Voluntary Reports.

SDG Moment

Methodology
Assesses challenges and opportunities in national growth trajectories with insights on environmental sustainability and inclusiveness.

Data Sources
Future trajectories to 2025 are based on IMF-WEO GDP projections, distributions of per capita income or consumption from the World Bank, and CO2 emissions from the Global Carbon Budget 2022 and EDGAR (JRC and IEA).​

Trends & Priorities

Methodology
SDG trends tracks progress from 2015 to date for the 231 indicators. National priorities are analysed using machine learning to reveal the most prominent SDGs referenced in national policy documents.

Data Sources
SDG trends tracks progress from 2015 to date for the 231 indicators. National priorities are analysed using machine learning to reveal the most prominent SDGs referenced in national policy documents.

Interlinkages

Methodology
SDG trends tracks progress from 2015 to date for the 231 indicators. National priorities are analysed using machine learning to reveal the most prominent SDGs referenced in national policy documents.

Data Sources
The exercise globally considered a total of 454 documents published from 2015 to August 2022. (Miola et al., 2019 updated in 2021-2022)​

Finance & Stimulus

Methodology
Provides insight into indicators of fiscal and financial stress with options (INFF) for stimulus and other means to accelerate progress.

Data Sources
Most recent resource data from UNU-WIDER GRD (between 2018 and 2021), debt and revenue from IMF WEO (between 2020 and forecasts for 2023), external debt from IDS (2023), yields from Haver Analytics (8 June 2023), credit ratings from S&P, Moodys and FITCH (2023), and DSA ratings from World Bank/IMF (31 May 2023).