Social sector receives largest portion of FY2026/27 budget

NAMPA

2026-02-26

Windhoek, 26 February- Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafuda at the tabling of the 2026/27 Appropriation Bill. (Photo by Eba Kandovazu). NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 26 FEB (NAMPA) - The social sector, encompassing education, health, social safety nets and youth empowerment, continues to command the largest share of government expenditure, Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah said on Wednesday.
Tabling the 2026/27 national budget in the National Assembly, Shafudah announced that the sector has been allocated N.dollars 54.3 billion, representing 61.7 per cent of the total budget, excluding interest payments.
“The prioritisation of education and health in this budget reflects the government’s firm commitment to the objectives of NDP6,” she said.
Shafudah noted that sustained investment in these areas is aimed at strengthening human capital, boosting productivity and advancing inclusive growth.
“Education equips our youth with skills for a modern economy, while health spending safeguards workforce participation and reduces long-term fiscal costs. Even in a constrained fiscal environment, the government is protecting these sectors because they are strategic investments in sustainable growth, fiscal resilience and intergenerational equity,” she said.
Of the total allocation, N.dollars 28 billion has been directed to the Education, Innovation, Arts and Culture sector. This includes N.dollars 2.8 billion for subsidised tertiary education and the alleviation of school congestion, as well as N.dollars 939 million earmarked for developmental projects. The Sports, Youth and National Services portfolio has been allocated N.dollars 750 million for the 2026/27 financial year.
Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, the social sector will receive N.dollars 83.6 billion.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has been allocated N.dollars 13.1 billion for 2026/27, including N.dollars 259 million for the recruitment of health professionals. Over the MTEF period, the ministry is set to receive N.dollars 38.5 billion to upgrade public hospitals and clinics to private sector standards.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Veteran Affairs has been allocated N.dollars 1.5 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, amounting to N.dollars 4.6 billion over the MTEF period.
Shafudah said the budget theme, “People, Productivity and Prudence”, serves as a call to action to cultivate human potential, strengthen growth drivers and safeguard fiscal sustainability.
(NAMPA)
UK/HP/AS

Windhoek, 26 February- Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudaat the tabling of the 2026/27 Appropriation Bill. (Photo by Eba Kandovazu). NAMPA

Budget Shafudah

Business

Otjiwarongo municipality acquires new fleet

2026-07-16 19:04:27

Hamutumwa calls for market access strategy

2026-07-16 14:52:48

AI to reshape Namibia’s key sectors: Huawei

2026-07-16 11:56:00

MTC opens first mobile home in Okongo

2026-07-16 11:37:25

VP to officially open Effective Communicators Conference

2026-07-16 09:32:07

Green hydrogen comms draws US$2 billion: Musheko

2026-07-16 09:19:23

Nakatana urges strategic content creation to strengthen organisational communication

2026-07-15 18:13:36

Human connection remains the foundation of effective communication: APRA

2026-07-15 15:13:28

Namibia urged to take charge of oil and gas communication narrative

2026-07-15 14:21:41

Effective Communicators Conference kicks off in Swakopmund

2026-07-15 12:04:32

Nampa opens pipeline for MICT information officers

2026-07-15 08:31:23

Latest NAMPA photos

SWAKOPMUND, 16 July 2026 - Namibian Sun Editor in Chief and Chairperson of the Editors’ Forum Toivo Ndjebela on Thursday at the Effective Communicators Conference at Swakopmund. (Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

NAMPA

SIKOSIKOSINYANA, 15 July 2026 - Sikosinyana Senior Secondary School Principal, Harris Tuombale. (Photo: Contributed).

NAMPA

SIKOSINYANA, 14 July 2026 – Sikosinyana Senior Secondary School, in the Sibbinda Constituency of the Zambezi Region, will host its annual inter-school sports tournament this weekend. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 16 July 2026 - Reducing transport time on Africa’s roads, ports and borders could raise exports by more than 12 percent and lift GDP growth over 2 percent, Botswana Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe said Thursday. Gaolathe delivered a keynote address at the Effective Communicators Conference (ECC26) in Swakopmund, citing the Trans-Kalahari Corridor and the Botswana Dry Port at Walvis Bay as examples of practical regional integration between Botswana and Namibia. (Photo by: MICT) NAMPA

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 16 July 2026 - Africa risks having its story told incompletely by others unless African communicators take greater ownership of the continent’s narrative, African Public Relations Association (APRA) President Arik Karani said on Thursday. Karani delivered a keynote address at the Effective Communicators Conference (ECC26) in Swakopmund, themed “Telling Africa’s Story Through Effective Communication.” (Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 16 July 2026 - Artificial intelligence, cloud computing and 5G technology are set to transform Namibia’s mining, energy, finance and healthcare sectors, Huawei Technologies Namibia Board Director Jason Xu said on Thursday. Xu was speaking at the Official Opening of the Effective Communicators Conference (ECC26) in Swakopmund, where Huawei is the main sponsor, positioning the company as a strategic partner in Namibia’s digital transformation. (Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

NAMPA