FY 2024 Namibia Country Opinion Survey Report

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the World Bank Group's engagement in Namibia. Core Insights - The World Bank Group (WBG) is perceived to need more effective support for Namibia to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and financial assistance [12] - Familiarity with the WBG has significantly increased from a mean rating of 3.1 in FY18 to 5.9 in FY24, indicating improved awareness among stakeholders [15][22] - Trust in the WBG varies significantly across different stakeholder groups, with the highest trust ratings coming from the office of the President/Prime Minister/Minister (mean=7.9) [17] Summary by Sections Objectives - The survey aimed to understand stakeholder perceptions of the WBG, focusing on familiarity, trust, effectiveness, and development priorities [6] Methodology Overview - The survey was conducted from March to May 2024, with 819 potential participants and a response rate of 13% (105 respondents) [8] Overall Context - Stakeholders expressed a need for the WBG to better understand Namibia's socio-economic context and to be more human-centric in its development approach [19] Overall Attitudes Toward the WBG - Respondents indicated that understanding local realities is crucial for the WBG's effectiveness in Namibia [19] Key Performance Indicators - Ratings for the WBG's alignment with Namibia's development priorities improved but remained moderate, with respondents who collaborate with the WBG expressing more positive views [22][26] Development Areas - Stakeholders prioritized agriculture/food security (59%), education (42%), and energy (39%) as key areas for WBG focus in FY24 [43] Effectiveness of WBG's Support in Sectoral Areas - Ratings of the WBG's effectiveness in sectoral areas were generally moderate, with the highest ratings in macroeconomic stability and social protection [44] WBG's Engagement on the Ground in Namibia - There were improvements in perceptions of the WBG's openness and accessibility, but long-term partnership perceptions were mixed [47][48] Financial Instruments and Knowledge Work - Respondents valued the WBG's financial resources and technical assistance, with a significant emphasis on accountability in lending practices [63][66] Stakeholder Collaboration - There is a strong desire for the WBG to collaborate more with the private sector, local government, civil society organizations, and academia to enhance its effectiveness in Namibia [58]