Interesting Facts

• Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
• The Namib Desert is about 80 million years old.
• Namibia is home to the world’s largest underground lake.
• The world’s highest sand dunes can be found at Sossusvlei in Namibia.

Key Market Alerts

• Monthly rentals escalate annually by between 8% and 10%.
• Early Termination / Break Clauses are not standard and would need to be negotiated into a lease.
• A work permit is required before a lease can be signed.

An Overview of Namibia

Compared to the high economic growth rates being seen by many African countries, Namibia’s growth has been fairly moderate and has largely remained within the 4% - 7% band.

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia. Namibia is bordered by Angola, Botswana and South Africa, with the Atlantic Ocean at its West coast. Windhoek has a small population of roughly 380,000 people.

Living in Windhoek

Because of the size of Windhoek and the city’s relatively developed infrastructure it is considered a fairly comfortable destination. The cost of living is fairly low and traffic congestion is manageable. A vehicle is essential and expatriates are able to safely navigate themselves around the city. Expatriates living in Windhoek will have the opportunity to explore the country’s beautiful coastline and desert. There are a number of four-wheel drive trails, and indeed this is a place where some serious exploration can be done with the right vehicle.

Housing in Windhoek

Windhoek’s real estate sector is relatively structured and there are a number of established local and international real estate agencies.

There is a reasonable selection of housing in Windhoek – ranging from apartments to townhouses and free-standing houses. Favoured areas for expatriates include Eros Park, Pioneers Park, Ludwigsdorf, Klein Windhoek and Olympia. It is recommended that assignees move into compounds or gated communities.

Schooling in Windhoek

There are many schooling options in Windhoek – International, Private and State Schools. The International Schools follow their home country curriculum and calendar, while the Namibian Private and State schools follow a curriculum still largely modelled on the British education system. The standard of private schooling in Windhoek is generally high and the schools have excellent facilities.