Although the region depends on rain fed agriculture, other crops can be established under intensive cultivation.

The eastern part of the region possesses good grazing land, but the shortage of water and poor communications render it uninhabitable at present.

There is a tarred road from Onhuno to Okongo that was recently completed, it is thought to greatly increase the area's agricultural potential.

The region comprises twelve constituencies: Ohangwena is one of the regions where many Namibian politicians are from, including former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, Hidipo Hamutenya (founding president of the Rally for Democracy and Progress, RDP), minister of environment and tourism Pohamba Shifeta, former deputy minister and ambassador Hadino Hishongwa, founding member of SWAPO Mzee Kaukungwa and several other ministers and high-profile politicians.

In the 2004 regional election for the National Assembly of Namibia, SWAPO won in all constituencies by a landslide.

[10] In the 2015 regional elections SWAPO obtained 95% of the total votes (2010: 92%)[6] and won all twelve constituencies with 90% or more.

The Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) managed to name opposition candidates in all constituencies but one, and the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) in two.

[12] According to the 2012 Namibia Labour Force Survey, unemployment in the Ohangwena Region stood at 34.6%.

In terms of households' main sources of income, 52% derived it from farming, 13% from wages and salaries, 5% cash remittances, 8% from business or non-farming, and 20% from pension.