Christina Glazkova
Namibia is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with limited freshwater resources. The primary sources of freshwater include the Kunene River, the Okavango River, and groundwater supplies. The country faces significant challenges in terms of water scarcity due to its arid climate and variable rainfall.
Chinese atomic energy developer, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), has received approval from the Namibian government to construct the country’s largest seawater desalination plant in partnership with the local water corporation, the Shanghai business resource Yicai Global reported on Friday.
CGN’s Namibian subsidiary, Swakop Uranium, will collaborate with Namibia Water to begin construction of the plant this year, according to sources from Shenzhen-based CGN. The facility, expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will have an annual capacity to produce 20 million tonnes of water.
Included as a key project in the China-Namibia Belt and Road Initiative, this development aims to significantly mitigate Namibia’s water scarcity—particularly in the central and western coastal regions—support various industries like mining, create jobs, and boost economic growth.
In late June, the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, announced that construction of Namibia’s second desalination plant will begin in January 2025. Originally proposed in 1998, the project has been approved and will have a capacity exceeding 20 million cubic meters. It is anticipated to be operational by early 2027.
