Council Engages Stakeholders on the Commemoration of Africa Decentralisation Day

The Omaheke Regional Council on 17 July 2025 engaged various stakeholders on the celebration of the upcoming African Decentralisation and Local Development Day (ADD).

ADD is an annual event celebrated on 10 August across all African Union Member States. In Namibia, the 2025 edition of ADD will be celebrated in Gobabis, Omaheke region.

The event aims to recognise and promote the importance of decentralisation, local governance and the role of local development in strengthening democratic processes and improving the quality of life for African citizens.

The celebration further encourages African governments and communities to focus on decentralising powers, enhancing local governance systems and fostering sustainable development at the grassroots level.

The Omaheke Regional Council was tasked by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) host this year’s event. The council has established an organising committee to handle all preparations for the event.

The purpose of this stakeholders meeting was for the Organising committee, chaired by the Regional Councillor for Otjinene Constituency, Hon. Erwin Katjizeu, to provide an update regarding the event preparation and solicit ideas and inputs from stakeholders.

This year’s ADD theme, “Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Decentralization and Equitable Development, underscores the urgent need to address historical disparities in access to public services, infrastructure, and opportunities by strengthening decentralized governance structures.

The theme reflects the African Union’s 2025 focus on justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations. It aims to highlight the transformative role of local governance in advancing social inclusion, community empowerment, and equitable resource distribution.

Details regarding this event will be shared in due course.