Republic of Namibia

Namibia is situated on Africa’s south-western seaboard. Its neighbouring countries are Angola to the north, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the east and South Africa to the south. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The country covers 825,615 km² of which 168,274 km2 is in the Cubango Okavango River Basin.

The Kavango East and West regions form the majority part of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB) in Namibia. In Namibia, the Kavango River (as referred to in Namibia) covers an estimated distance of 400km and forms the geographical border between Namibia and Angola stretching from Katwitwi in the Kavango West to Mohembo in the East where it forms the border with Botswana. Rainfall in the Namibian part of the CORB ranges between 450mm-550mm per year; while monthly evaporation ranges between 150mm-300mm. Highest rainfall occurs during the period of January-February while highest evaporation occurs during October. The Burkea-Brachystegia woodlands forms the predominant vegetable in Namibian part of the CORB.

The Kavango East and West regions have an estimated combined population of 222,500 with the vaKwangali, vaShambyu, vaMbuza, vaGciriku and Hambukushu being the most dominant tribes. The majority of the population resides in the rural areas with only estimated 30% being urban. Rainfed agriculture, livestock rearing, limited fishing and natural resources harvesting are the dominant sources of livelihoods for the rural populations. The majority of water use in Namibian part of the CORB is irrigated agriculture followed by domestic use.