Windhoek, March 03 – Hon. Hilaria Mukapuli, Chairperson of the newly formed Parliamentary Standing Committee on Budget and Finance, called for rigorous analysis of the 2026/27 National Budget at a panel discussion today, emphasizing its role in tackling Namibia’s status as the world’s second-most unequal society.
Speaking at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek during the event themed “Analysis of the National Budget 2026/27: To what extent does it address Social Inequalities in Namibia?”, Mukapuli addressed lawmakers, government officials, civil society representatives, academics and media. She framed the budget not as mere figures in the Appropriations Bill [1 – 2026], but as a “tool to reshape the lives of the Namibian people” and dismantle entrenched disparities.
The committee, established in April 2025 as one of the National Assembly’s 12 standing committees, draws its mandate from Article 63(2)(a-b) of the Namibian Constitution. This empowers it to approve budgets, oversee revenue and taxation, and conduct line-by-line examinations of expenditure estimates during the “Committee Stage” of bills. Mukapuli stressed that effective oversight requires input from stakeholders to align allocations with real-world needs.
“Namibia faces a reality where wealth and resources remain concentrated in the hands of a few,” she said, urging the budget to confront this head on rather than just manage it. The discussion’s objectives, as outlined by Mukapuli, include:
– Boosting public awareness of how the budget reflects national priorities.
– Critically evaluating allocations for social safety nets, youth unemployment, decent work, and gender equity.
– Spotlighting inequalities in social protection exposed by COVID-19 and dire conditions in informal settlements.
– Gathering stakeholder input to shape a fairer budget.
– Producing recommendations to influence Ministry of Finance engagements and parliamentary debates.
Mukapuli described the exercise as both technical and moral, positioning the budget as a “contract between the government and its people” for dignified lives. She invited frank dialogue to ensure the budget advances a just Namibia.
The panel, hosted by the Budget and Finance Committee with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Namibia, underscores Parliament’s push for transparency and inclusivity in fiscal governance. Outcomes from today’s recommendations will feed into the committee’s scrutiny process, potentially altering allocations before final approval.
As Namibia grapples with high youth unemployment and poverty gaps, stakeholders anticipate whether the 2026/27 budget will deliver transformative change.
