Windhoek:Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah has proposed increasing the national budget appropriation for the financial year 2026/27 to N$88.6 billion from the previously planned N$87.9 billion. This proposal was made during the Mid-Year Budget Review tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday.
According to NAMPA, the review was conducted in the context of slower-than-expected economic growth, a N$1.5 billion downward revision of projected revenue to N$88.1 billion, rising debt-servicing costs, and additional funding requests totaling N$13.1 billion from various offices, ministries, and agencies. Shafudah emphasized that the reallocations aim to maintain fiscal discipline.
The budget review includes specific allocations for several ministries and offices. The Office of the President is set to receive N$180 million, with N$140 million earmarked for basic sports facilities (transferred from the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service) and N$40 million for security measures. The Office of the Prime Minister will receive N$26 million to cover outstanding drought relief invoices. The National Assembly and Auditor General have been allocated N$9 million and N$4.7 million, respectively.
Furthermore, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade has been re-allocated N$4.9 million within its vote. The Defence Ministry is allocated N$200 million, split equally between rations and utilities. The Finance Ministry will receive N$665 million, with N$535 million designated for the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme and N$130 million for the Contingency Fund. The National Council and Health and Social Services are allocated N$4 million and N$41 million, respectively, the latter intended for 456 medical and dental interns.
Additionally, the Labour Relations Ministry will receive N$5.5 million, the Ministry of Justice N$16 million, and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development N$62 million, with specific allocations for soil erosion mitigation in Rundu and salary adjustments for regional councillors. The Judiciary, Works and Transport, Anti-Corruption Commission, Attorney General, and Gender Equality and Child Welfare have also been allocated funds, with respective amounts of N$28.5 million, N$50 million, N$2.4 million, N$5 million, and N$12.9 million.
A notable allocation is the N$179 million for the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform to address the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, funded by a two percent cut to the expenditure ceilings of all offices, ministries, and agencies.