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The central areas of Namibia have seen no additional dam capacity since before Independence, says Cirrus Capital chief economist Robert McGregor.

Along with substantial population growth over the last 40 years, this has exacerbated the water challenges facing the central areas - including Windhoek, which relies on water reclamation and the aquifer to supplement its water needs.

At the national level, the only material new dam capacity since Independence comes from the Neckartal Dam. This dam alone more than doubled the country’s total dam capacity, from 699 Mm3 to 1 556 Mm3.

However, Neckartal’s location means that it cannot realistically provide water to many of the areas that need it most, particularly the central areas.