In a powerful and pragmatic address delivered on Monday, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ben Nangombe, set a clear tone for what he called a “new era of electrification” in Namibia. Speaking at the National Electrification Acceleration Engagement held in Ondangwa, Nangombe emphasized the urgent need to fast-track electricity access across the country, calling it not just a development priority, but a national imperative.
The event brought together key players from Namibia’s energy sector, including CEOs, engineers, regulators, and financial experts. Their shared mission: to collectively deliver electricity to over 210,000 currently unconnected households by 2030, in alignment with the SWAPO Party Manifesto and the national development agenda under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“Electricity is not a luxury. It is not a ‘nice-to-have.’ It is essential for national development,” Nangombe stated. “Without it, hospitals falter, schools underperform, and economic potential remains locked away.”
Currently, only about 59.4% of Namibian households have access to electricity. The government’s goal is to push that number to 70% within the next five years a target Nangombe says is achievable but will require strategic action, increased investment, and unwavering commitment.
At present, Namibia is connecting between 3,000 and 5,000 households annually. To meet the 2030 target, the country must scale that up to at least 40,000 connections each year. The financial requirement is equally daunting: from the current N$200 million per year, investment must grow fivefold to N$1 billion annually.
Nangombe highlighted the need to rethink outdated delivery models and focus on densely populated areas to maximize impact and revenue generation. He also stressed the importance of off-grid solutions such as solar in rural and remote regions, saying, “Our strategy must be technology-neutral, cost-effective, and demand-driven.”
A cornerstone of this new approach involves Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key implementation partners including NAMPOWER, the Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs), and the Environmental Investment Fund. While these were expected to be signed during the event, delays in internal processes pushed the deadline to the end of May. Nangombe expressed disappointment but remained resolute: “No further delays will be tolerated. We need to move from paperwork to implementation fast.”
In a country where some electrification projects have already failed due to poor planning, Nangombe stressed that smart, ethical leadership would be essential moving forward. He called for full transparency, honest reporting, and collective accountability across the sector.
“Don’t shy away from naming the problems. We cannot fix what we refuse to see,” he said.
Namibia’s commitments also align with continental goals, particularly the African Union’s “Mission 300” to electrify 300 million households across Africa by 2040. Namibia has pledged to deliver 400,000 household connections by then, with 200,000 targeted by 2030. The World Bank, African Development Bank, and other global partners are expected to play a supporting role in this effort.
Nangombe ended his address with a compelling metaphor. “Electricity is organised lightning,” he said. “If we organise ourselves well, stay focused, and act in unity, we can bring power to every part of this country. Not as a favour but as a fundamental strategy for growth.”
As the energy sector regroups and sets its sights on bold targets, one message was clear: Namibia’s electrification drive is no longer business as usual it is business urgent.
