Although Opuwo was only officially declared as a town in November 2000, people lived here since the 1920s when headman Hijangombo Mupia gave Commissioner Carl Hugo Hahn some land in the area that is today called Opuwo. Hahn, who was based in Ondangwa, coined the name “Ohopoho” which means “enough” in Otjiherero - referring to the land he was given. In those years mail between Opuwo & Ondangwa was delivered by a runner. Hinatjino Mburura was the first “mail-runner” and did the trip in two days. During the time of commissioner Ben van Zyl road and telephone communication with the rest of Namibia was established. For many years inhabitants used the old manual exchange telephones and post was delivered once a week. People had to travel to Oshakati (600km return trip) to visit the nearest bank. In the 1990’s FM radio, television and an automatic telephone system were introduced.

Today Opuwo is the capital of the great Kunene region and has a modern communications system, commercial banks, shops and a tar road that connects it to the rest of Namibia. Opuwo has an airstrip, 4 schools, a regional hospital and police headquarters, while hosting the regional offices of most government ministries. The town is connected to the national electricity network and has a special filtration plant that ensures good quality drinking water.