Socio-economics

Despite the uneven distribution of income and employment in both riparian states, Angola and Namibia are important economies in sub-Sahara Africa. The rate of urbanisation continues to grow and poses great challenges to urban and rural areas in the two countries and the Kunene River basin. The Kunene River basin has its very own socio-economic profile, providing the basis for different economic activities and water use sectors, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, hydro-electric power generation, forestry, mining and tourism.

Dams and weirs make water available for different socio-economic uses within the basin (Matala weir).

Source: Estêvão 2009

( click to enlarge )

Chapter Summary

This chapter covers the following concepts and material:

• The Distribution of Economic Activities within each riparian country;
• Differences between the standard of living and access to services for those living in Urban and Rural areas within the two countries, with a focus on water supply; and
• A socio-economic exploration from Upstream to Downstream, including the Economic Activities in the Basin.