Windhoek building approvals and completions slump in August, IJG data shows
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Windhoek's building activity slowed significantly in August, with plan approvals and completions falling sharply, even as year-to-date figures still outperform the same period last year.
Windhoek's building activity slowed down significantly in August, with approvals and completions dropping, despite year-to-date figures still outperforming the same period last year.
The City of Windhoek approved 135 building plans worth N$161.9 million in August, down from 229 plans worth N$203.2 million approved in July, according to figures analysed by IJG Securities. Only 17 buildings were completed in August, compared with 23 in July, and the value of the completed buildings fell from N$33.6 million to N$21.3 million.
On a year-to-date basis, however, 271 buildings with a combined value of N$330.9 million were completed, meaning more buildings have been completed so far this year than during the same period in 2025.
The slowdown was also seen in additions to existing properties. The city approved 94 plans for property additions in August, down from 178 in July, with their value falling from N$73.5 million to N$40.7 million. Residential construction was weaker too: only 35 residential building plans were approved in August, compared with 44 in July, though the plans were worth a combined N$92.2 million and the 252 residential plans approved in the first eight months of the year, worth N$1.15 billion, remain higher than last year. Seven residential buildings were completed in August, one more than in July, but the value of those completed buildings dropped sharply from N$30.5 million to N$9.7 million.
Commercial and industrial construction also remained subdued, with six plans approved in August compared with seven in July, at a combined value of N$29.1 million. While the number of commercial and industrial approvals so far this year is slightly higher than last year, their value has fallen considerably: the 50 plans approved between January and August were worth N$152.4 million, against N$459.2 million during the same period last year. IJG says the figures point to a slowdown in the value of commercial and industrial projects being approved compared with last year.