Namibia’s Mayors Unite to Strengthen Local Governance at National Forum

Namibia’s Mayors Unite to Strengthen Local Governance at National Forum. The Namibia National Mayors Forum (NNMF) has officially opened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the City of Windhoek Function Hall, convening mayors and local government leaders from across the country to discuss the future of municipal governance and community development.

In his opening address, NNMF President Leonard Hango applauded the progress made in promoting collaboration among Namibia’s local authorities. He highlighted the Forum’s role as a critical platform for knowledge exchange and problem-solving, particularly in addressing challenges such as urbanization, infrastructure shortfalls, and limited financial resources.

Hango also underscored the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NNMF, the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), and the Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO). The agreement aims to create a unified Local Authority Umbrella Association, designed to enhance coordination and policy coherence among Namibia’s municipalities and towns.

He urged local leaders to continue leading with vision, unity, and accountability, stressing that strong local governance remains key to sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Moses Matyayi, CEO of the City of Windhoek and President of NALAO, echoed these sentiments, reminding mayors of their direct impact on citizens’ well-being. “As council members, you don’t only deal with governance issues, you deal with bread-and-butter issues. You are the conduit of what makes residents happy,” Matyayi said.

He noted that Namibia’s 57 local authorities serve an estimated 1.5 million people, adding that effective local governance is central to improving livelihoods and driving national progress.

The AGM will continue with sessions focused on urban development, service delivery, and strengthening inter-municipal collaboration across Namibia.