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Namibia
>> Regional Overview >> Namibia Overview
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Last updated: 21
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Namibia has emerged as an African success story since its independence from South Africa in 1990. Great strides have been made in building a parliamentary democracy, expanding the benefits of a free-market economy, and equalizing and expanding education opportunities. These investments have contributed to continued peace and security, but it will take more time to overcome the inequality in income and related poverty that a century of colonialism and apartheid left in its wake.
Namibia's distribution of income is among the most inequitable in the world; 20% of Namibians are infected with HIV/AIDS. With the wealthiest 1% of the population earning more than the poorest 50%, Namibia's income distribution is among the most unequal in the world. Unemployment is estimated at 35% while another 25% of the population is underemployed. The inability to generate adequate levels of employment is a symptom of economic stagnation, with the growth per capita averaging just 1.5% since independence. Slow economic growth will continue until Namibia is able to fully shed the colonial economic model whereby resources are extracted and exported with little value added. Prospects are enhanced by the government's commitment to free market policies, Namibia's modern telecommunications and transportation infrastructure, and the rich resource base on which the country rests.
As serious as the unemployment problem is, the greatest threat to Namibia's future is an HIV infection rate of 20%. AIDS deaths have already cut into the ranks of teachers and other key professionals and the country has seen its life expectancy at birth drop from 60 years in 1991 to 46 years today. The epidemic is expected to result in 118,000 orphans by 2006 and a 15% to 25% shrinkage of the economy by 2010.
In addition to seeking the country's support for U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. national interest in Namibia is based on the desire to maintain and deepen Namibia's status as an African success story and to enhance its ability to contribute to peace, security, and stability on the African continent.
THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $6.758 million FY 2003 Request: $5.48 million USAID is requesting funds for ongoing objectives which, together, are designed to strengthen Namibia through the economic, social and political empowerment of historically disadvantaged Namibians. These programs promote private enterprise development, improve education in grades one through four, increase the environmental and economic benefits of community based natural resource management, strengthen democracy and curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. FY 2002 funds will be used to finance ongoing activities under four of these objectives.
ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: The USAID program in Namibia includes the following objective for which USAID is not requesting new funds, but is continuing to expend funds already appropriated.
Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 673-004 Democracy and Governance FY 02 CBJ, p. 419 FY 2003 OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: With funding totaling $3.0 million provided over FYs 2000 and 2001, the Education for Democracy and Development Initiative (EDDI) continues to support USAID's bilateral programs, including the introduction of information technology to accelerate development, the promotion of youth entrepreneurship, and assistance for the education and social needs of children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis. In FY 2001, USAID's Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) contributed $1 million to help support the achievement of objectives under the Community Based Natural Resource Management Program. Plans are underway for the RCSA to make an additional contribution to the program in FY 02.
USAID's HIV/AIDS program budget has been supplemented with support from the Regional and Urban Development Office (RUDO) and the Africa Bureau's Office of Sustainable Development. RUDO will continue to support in FYs 02-03 the efforts of local government authorities to reduce HIV/AIDS impacts at the community level. RUDO and the Center for Democracy and Governance have provided support for the democracy program. With the support of the Leland Initiative and the Center for Human Capacity Development's DOT.COM program, USAID is designing a cross-cutting information technology strategy in FY 2002 to be implemented during the FY 2002-2003 period. Over the FY 2001-2002 period, the Center for Human Capacity Development is also financing an International Foundation for Education Self Help program in which four American volunteers are training local teachers and Namibian bankers are sent for short-term training in the U.S.
OTHER DONORS: USAID is the second largest bilateral donor in Namibia, after Germany. Despite its relatively modest size, the USAID program is visible, strategic, and results-oriented. While donor coordination in Namibia could be improved, relationships are good, and USAID works actively with other donors to ensure complementarity in its sectors of interest. United Nations agencies have begun to play an important role in catalyzing a coordinated response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Program Data Sheets
- 673-001 Economic Empowerment of Historically Disadvantaged Namibians Through Accelerated Private Sector Growth
- 673-002 Improved Delivery of Quality Primary Education to Namibian Learners in Grades 1 - 4 in the Most Disadvantaged Schools
- 673-003 Increased Benefits Received by Historically Disadvantaged Namibians from Sustainable Local Management of Natural Resources
- 673-005 Risk of HIV/AIDS Transmission is Reduced through a Model Prevention Program in a Key Region
Country Background Information Resources
CIA Factbook
National Geographic Country Maps
State Dept. Country Information
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
