IPPR Namibia

For years, procurement failures in Namibia's health sector have contributed to waste, inefficiency, medicine shortages and recurring allegations of corruption. Yet despite repeated scandals and investigations, many of the underlying weaknesses remain unaddressed.

The latest issue of Procurement Tracker Namibia argues that the current crisis presents an opportunity to tackle the systemic governance failures. It calls for a full investigation into long-standing weaknesses, stronger transparency measures, implementation of key accountability laws, and more robust independent oversight.

Scandal-Plagued Procurement - IPPR For years, Namibia’s health sector has been dogged by procurement controversies, irregularities, investigations and recurring allegations of corruption. Yet despite repeated scandals, many of the underlying weaknesses in procurement systems, oversight mechanisms and supplier vetting processes rema...

Corruption is not just about individual scandals – it is about the strength of the institutions, laws and accountability mechanisms that are meant to prevent abuse of power in the first place.

In this new IPPR blog, we argue that Namibia needs a comprehensive National Integrity Agenda: a coordinated programme of reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability and ethical governance across the public sector. With public trust under pressure and major challenges emerging in sectors such as oil and gas, the time for piecemeal responses has passed.

Time for a National Integrity Agenda - IPPR President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has repeatedly stated her commitment to fighting corruption. The challenge now is to demonstrate that commitment through action rather than words. Rather than government responding defensively to each claim as it arises, the President should use this moment to launch...

What does freedom – uhuru – mean in practice in a constitutional democracy?

In a new IPPR briefing paper, Abigail Solomons explores the gap between constitutional guarantees and lived reality for LGBT Namibians. The paper examines the complex interplay between landmark court judgments, political and legislative responses, and persistent social attitudes, arguing that while important legal gains have been achieved, the struggle for equality, dignity and protection is far from over.

Not Yet Uhuru: Gender and LGBT Rights in Namibia is available for download from the IPPR website.

New report considers LGBTQI+ rights after landmark rulings A new report considers the ongoing fight to recognise Namibia’s le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community’s constitutional and human rights in the wake […]

For years, Namibia's health sector has been dogged by procurement controversies, irregularities, investigations and recurring allegations of corruption. Yet despite repeated scandals, many of the underlying weaknesses in procurement systems, oversight mechanisms and supplier vetting processes remain unresolved.

The result is a cycle in which the same problems continue to reappear, often at significant cost to public trust, service delivery and the effective use of public resources.

The current crisis presents an opportunity not only to address individual cases, but also to confront the systemic weaknesses that have allowed procurement failures to persist for so long.

Join the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) for the launch of the latest Procurement Tracker Namibia report:

🚨 NEW PROCUREMENT TRACKER LAUNCH 🚨

Join the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) for the launch of the latest edition of Procurement Tracker Namibia:

📖 Investigations, Vetting & Systemic Weaknesses

This edition examines recurring weaknesses in public procurement systems, with a particular focus on the health sector. It explores how deficiencies in investigations, vetting and oversight can create opportunities for corruption, waste and poor service delivery.

The Procurement Tracker series aims to promote transparency, accountability and informed public debate on governance issues that affect all Namibians.

📅 Thursday, 18 June 2026
🕙 10h00 – 12h00
📍 House of Democracy
70–72 Dr Frans Indongo Street, Windhoek

RSVP: 📧 [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there.

Don't miss two important upcoming engagements for civil society organisations focusing on electoral law reform and human rights. These are key opportunities to share perspectives and contribute to ongoing discussions.
For further details, contact [email protected].

19 June - questions welcome at [email protected]

On Genocide Remembrance Day, we honour the memory of those who suffered and lost their lives.

As we remember, we also reaffirm our commitment to justice, dignity, reconciliation, and a peaceful future for all Namibians.

🕯️ 28 May 2026

What does freedom — uhuru — really mean in a constitutional democracy?

This new IPPR briefing paper by Abigail Solomons examines the tensions between constitutional rights, court victories, legislative backlash and social attitudes shaping the lived realities of LGBT Namibians. It argues that while important legal progress has been made, true equality and protection remain unfinished work.

Download and read Not Yet Uhuru: Gender and LGBT Rights in Namibia below.

https://ippr.org.na/publication/not-yet-uhuru/

In partnership with Embassy of Ireland, Zambia

Not Yet Uhuru - IPPR The briefing paper examines the tensions between constitutional rights, court victories, legislative backlash and social attitudes shaping the lived realities of LGBT Namibians – and asks how far Namibia still has to go in building a truly inclusive democracy.

✨ “Uhuru” means freedom in Swahili — but as IPPR’s latest report shows, Namibia’s LGBTQ+ community is not yet uhuru.

📖 Not Yet Uhuru: Gender & LGBT Rights in Namibia by Abigail Solomons shines a light on the legal gaps and social barriers that still limit equality. At the launch, attended by LAC Director Toni Hancox, intern Sophia DeLuca, and civil society allies, Solomons reminded us: “Not yet uhuru. But not without hope.”

🌈 This report isn’t just research — it’s a rallying cry. It opens dialogue, sparks advocacy, and builds momentum for change. Freedom is coming, but the journey continues.

https://ippr.org.na/publication/not-yet-uhuru/

Namibia’s push towards Universal Health Coverage could become one of the country’s most important post-independence reforms – but major questions remain around affordability, inequality, governance and implementation.

This new IPPR blog examines the difficult choices and structural challenges facing Namibia’s health reform agenda as government moves towards a more equitable healthcare system for all.

Read the full blog below:

Onwards to Universal Health Coverage? Namibia’s Tough Road to Health Reform - IPPR Namibia’s ambition to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) marks one of the most important and potentially transformative public policy reforms since independence. Yet while the goal of ensuring that all Namibians have access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship is widely ...