12 – 14 September 2012

Safari Conference Centre

Windhoek, Namibia

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Namibia’s Vision 2030 was launched in June 2004 and its rationale is to provide long-term policy strategies on the future course of development in the country. One of the long-term aims of Vision 2030 is the availability of clean water, and productive and healthy natural wetlands with rich biodiversity. The successive NDPs contain the goals and intermediate milestones that will eventually lead to the realization of Vision 2030. The principal environmental concerns of NDP III include water, land, marine, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystems, drought, and climate change.

Furthermore, Cabinet approved a directive in August 2008 for the Development of Bulk Water Supply Infrastructure for Namibia. It was approved that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry in consultation with the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) investigate, plan and design a program of meeting national water requirements as a long-term strategy to prevent water shortages.

Namibia is the most arid African country south of the Sahara and hence, extensive water supply coverage is needed to ensure water security in the country. All the potential conventional as well as unconventional sources of water need to be maximised. The extraction, treatment and distribution of water to all the levels of water users are major challenges which require collective intervention and investment.

In order to efficiently and effectively manage Namibia’s water resources, a National Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Plan was develop to guide the utilisation, development and management of the country’s limited water resources. The overall long-term goal of the IWRM Plan in Namibia is to achieve a sustainable water resources management regime contributing to social equity, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. However for the IWRM Plan to be fully implemented and attain its defined goal, investment is required.

A Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Policy (WSASP) was adopted in 2008 and the Ministry developed a strategic plan that outlines the approaches and activities that the Sanitation Sector intends to take in order to achieve sustainable success in the medium term.

The lack or absence of private sector investment in the water sector has impacted the manufacturing and development of technology to the extent that the country has to import all equipment, plants, machinery, parts and spares at very high costs which makes the development and maintenance of water unsustainable.

It is against this background, that the Ministry has realized the need and importance to host a conference of this nature to collectively address the increasing demand and pressure on its water sources and sanitation facilities. The conference is also a platform to look at the skills shortage in the water sector and the need to embark upon research, development and innovation.

1.  OBJECTIVES OF THE WATER INVESTMENT CONFERENCE 2012

The overall objective of the conference is to bring together Water Consumers, Water Service Providers, Non –governmental Organizations (NGOs), Water Resources Managers, Development Partners, Manufacturers of various parts, spares and chemicals used in the water sector, Suppliers of various parts and spares, Financiers of the water sector and Investors to promote investment opportunities for the Water Sector.

The specific objectives are:

1.1  To explore and showcase business opportunities and technologies for industry players

1.2  To see the opportunities and available technologies and financial resources to propel the water sector business development.

1.3  To provide an interactive platform for industry players and related organizations to network and exchange information.

1.4  To learn about the emerging global trends and new innovations in water based industries.

1.5  To encourage potential entrepreneurs to tap into the vast opportunities available in the water business sectors.

1.6  To promote domestic production of plants, equipment, chemicals and parts for the water sector.

2.  STRATEGIC THEMES / FOCUS

The strategic themes will be discussed around the following issues:

2.1  Investment in water supply and sanitation infrastructure and technology development

The actual expenditure on water supply and sanitation provision infrastructure development is estimated at N$ 553338 million for the 2011/2012 Financial Year only. The required investment in replacement, upgrading and expansion of existing water supply infrastructure for the coming five years is estimated at N$ 3.7 billion, the main components being the need for improved or expanded water schemes.

The investment pattern in the Namibian water sector is skewed since it falls heavily on the government side, therefore there is more room for private sector intervention in the area of services and trade which will lead to creation of jobs, local manufacturing of equipment and spares. This goes hand in hand with reduction of costs involved in importing.

The most commonly used technology for surface – and underground water extraction are diesel engines, solar panels and windmills. For the treatment of water to potable standards as well as the desalination of sea – and brackish water, the most commonly used technologies are reverse osmosis and activated carbon filtration. For the artificial recharge of groundwater, the injection of storm water and or treated effluents into an aquifer is the emerging technology for augmenting water supply. For the treatment of wastewater to acceptable standards prior to discharge in the environment, the biological filter technology and the activated sludge method as well as evaporation ponds are most common.

Trade in the water sector in Namibia is dominated by a few companies which are established in the provision of water supply and treatment technologies and material. Most of these companies get their materials from outside Namibia and there is a need to promote local suppliers, materials and products. The anticipated conference will create this platform for upcoming Namibian entrepreneurs in the water sector to introduce and market their services and products through exhibitions and presentations.

2.2  Management of water supply and sanitation services

The major demand on water resources are either at urban centres, or agriculture in both the communal and commercial farming areas. These centres are often located in remote areas that are long distances away from sustainable water sources and hence, the necessity of upgrading and extending the existing water supply infrastructure as well as the upgrading and construction of infrastructure required to facilitate water provision from unconventional water sources, presents opportunities for business and investment in the water sector.

Namibia’s water provision is anchored on National Water Master Plans which outline long term plans for bulk water supply as well as rural water supply and the infrastructure development needed to meet the estimated future water demands. Infrastructure development and general water supply management both at national, regional and local level provide an opportunity for investment in the sector.

The provision of adequate and appropriate sanitation facilities, with the aim to minimize groundwater contamination, together with wastewater treatment technologies are also major contributors to business opportunities in the sector.

Assuming the most optimistic availability of funding from the present GRN budgets, from the income and reserves of the service providers and from the external customers and private investors, a gap of 3,157 N$ billion, or approximately 25 %, would still remain. This indicates the urgent need for investment in the water and sanitation sector.

2.3  Water for Economic Development

The sectors which are dependent on water resources to make a significant contribution to Namibia’s economy will have the opportunity to present the challenges and needs in this respect. They are amongst others the Local Authorities, the Agriculture Sector - Water for Food Security; the Mining Sector - Sustainable Mine Water Management; the Energy Sector - Hydropower Development; the Tourism Sector – Responsible Tourism and the larger Industry and Manufacturing Sector.

2.4  Water Resources Management

The crucial aspects, challenges and investment opportunities for water resources management issues will be deliberated on during this conference. They are amongst others, Policy and legal requirements; Water Demand Management; Water Resources Monitoring; Flood / Disaster Management; Trans-boundary Water Management and Climate change and its associated risks and challenges to the Water Sector.

2.5  Public/Private Partnership

Opportunities for investment and partnership in stakeholders sectors exist and needs to be explored and secured. These sectors are mostly Mining, Agriculture, Municipalities, Regional and Local Government and Development Partners.

2.6  Capacity Building

To enhance successful water resources management, it is crucial that all role players join hands to educate the larger public about the issues at hand. The academic and research institutions must take the lead in such initiatives. This can for example be achieved through a Capacity Development Program with means such as sector funds. The facilitation of such can be addressed on this platform.

3.  EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The commitment by stakeholders to engage in long-term research and future investment programmes for the development of the Water Sector as well as stock – taking of major issues regarding the management and development of water resources and the networking and co-operation in the Water Sector are some of the major outputs that are expected to be achieved after the conference.

4.  TARGET PARTICIPANTS FOR WATER INVESTMENT CONFERENCE 2012

The Water Investment Conference is to be attended by invited participants representing the following categories:

·  Various local, regional and international water services industries

·  Local, regional and international investors

·  Financiers both from commercial and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)

·  Business owners/entrepreneurs, startups and innovators

·  Directors, senior executives and managers of water-related industries

·  Government officials and decision makers

·  Government-link companies and agencies

·  Management consultants and industry analysts

·  Research and Development (R&D) and academia

·  Manufacturers and water technology suppliers

·  Water marketing agencies

·  Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s)

·  Development Partners

For More information please contact:

Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry
Water Investment Conference
P/Bag 13184
Windhoek, Namibia / Tel: +264 61 208 7200 / 7201
Fax: +264 61 208 7160
Email:

Web: www.nwic.com.na

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Namibia Water Investment Conference 2012: Background Information