Infrastructure Development as a Catalyst for Social-Economic Advancement

Abstract

Government identifies scaling-up investment in infrastructure as one of the key enablers to achieve its development objectives - these include achieving high and sustained growth levels to reduce poverty, income inequality and high unemployment. The specific areas where infrastructure development is required include transport (road, rail, maritime and aviation), electricity, water, housing and ICT. This paper explores how infrastructure development acts as a catalyst for social-economic advancement with focus on Namibia. The paper will review the state of infrastructure in Namibia in relation to existing financing and regulatory environment and in particular delves into the understanding of and the need for systems approach to infrastructure development to ensure that the catalyst effect on social-economic development take place. The last part is the conclusion.