Erongo RED launches mobile app
Locally built app saves Erongo RED millions
Erongo RED has unveiled a new mobile app developed in partnership with MTC, marking a major step in the company’s digital drive to improve customer service.
At the launch on Monday, Erongo RED CEO Immanuel !Hanabeb said the company continuously embraces emerging technologies to enhance service delivery.
“The launch of this mobile application is a testament to that commitment, bringing innovation closer to our consumers and transforming the way we connect and serve.”
He underlined that a highlight of the app is that it was developed entirely by Namibian graduates, with the team comprising Immanuel Namuhuja, Ricky Fangda, Tangi Kandjimwena, Dominic Koopman, Paulus Wilhelm, Mercy Shoombe, and Lydia Elago.
!Hanabeb explained that after months of work behind the scenes, the mobile app allows customers to buy electricity, pay their accounts and access key services anytime, anywhere, without visiting offices or retailers.
“This achievement did not come easily. The journey was marked by long nights, technical challenges and a great deal of determination," he said.
"Our teams worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles, particularly in accessing and integrating critical data.”
Critical turning point
The dream of developing a mobile app is not new to Erongo RED.
“Since 2015, we have aspired to embrace digital technologies, but the timing and readiness were not aligned," !Hanabeb said.
He explained that early attempts proved too costly, and the idea began to fade.
"Then came 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic, a turning point that changed how we operate. It was during this time that the vision of a mobile app resurfaced, stronger and more relevant than ever. When I joined Erongo RED in 2022, I fully supported its development – and today, that vision is a reality.”
The CEO explained that when they embarked on this project, expectations were clear.
!Hanabeb said the power company wanted to develop a platform that lets customers buy prepaid electricity, pay bills, check balances, report faults, track consumption and receive outage notifications.
"I’m proud to say we achieved this with a simple, secure and efficient app," he said.
!Hanabeb added: "Remarkably, through our MoU with MTC, it was developed for just N$500 000 instead of the estimated N$5 million, with potential savings of up to N$6 million once fully operational.”
Bigger vision
The Erongo RED chief noted further that going forward, the company hopes to grow its digital services footprint.
“Our vision does not stop here. We want customers to be able to switch electricity on and off remotely, adjust geyser temperatures and monitor their home energy usage – all from their mobile phones. These innovations are possible. We simply need commitment, investment, and brilliant local minds – the same kind that built this app.”
!Hanabeb noted that their achievement is the first of its kind for electricity distributors in Namibia.
“As part of our ongoing digital transformation journey, we have invested nearly N$25 million in advanced digital solutions designed to automate operations and enhance service delivery," he said.
Among these are the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, an enterprise asset management system, a modern telephony platform, and a comprehensive supply chain management system.
In addition, Erongo Red has developed a new and improved corporate website, which will be launched soon.
Nawa Likando, MTC’s digital transformation manager said they are proud to have contributed to the development of the mobile app.
“This partnership exemplifies effective collaboration. It demonstrates that when two organisations share a common purpose – in this case, improving lives through technology – the outcomes can only be truly remarkable."
At the launch on Monday, Erongo RED CEO Immanuel !Hanabeb said the company continuously embraces emerging technologies to enhance service delivery.
“The launch of this mobile application is a testament to that commitment, bringing innovation closer to our consumers and transforming the way we connect and serve.”
He underlined that a highlight of the app is that it was developed entirely by Namibian graduates, with the team comprising Immanuel Namuhuja, Ricky Fangda, Tangi Kandjimwena, Dominic Koopman, Paulus Wilhelm, Mercy Shoombe, and Lydia Elago.
!Hanabeb explained that after months of work behind the scenes, the mobile app allows customers to buy electricity, pay their accounts and access key services anytime, anywhere, without visiting offices or retailers.
“This achievement did not come easily. The journey was marked by long nights, technical challenges and a great deal of determination," he said.
"Our teams worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles, particularly in accessing and integrating critical data.”
Critical turning point
The dream of developing a mobile app is not new to Erongo RED.
“Since 2015, we have aspired to embrace digital technologies, but the timing and readiness were not aligned," !Hanabeb said.
He explained that early attempts proved too costly, and the idea began to fade.
"Then came 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic, a turning point that changed how we operate. It was during this time that the vision of a mobile app resurfaced, stronger and more relevant than ever. When I joined Erongo RED in 2022, I fully supported its development – and today, that vision is a reality.”
The CEO explained that when they embarked on this project, expectations were clear.
!Hanabeb said the power company wanted to develop a platform that lets customers buy prepaid electricity, pay bills, check balances, report faults, track consumption and receive outage notifications.
"I’m proud to say we achieved this with a simple, secure and efficient app," he said.
!Hanabeb added: "Remarkably, through our MoU with MTC, it was developed for just N$500 000 instead of the estimated N$5 million, with potential savings of up to N$6 million once fully operational.”
Bigger vision
The Erongo RED chief noted further that going forward, the company hopes to grow its digital services footprint.
“Our vision does not stop here. We want customers to be able to switch electricity on and off remotely, adjust geyser temperatures and monitor their home energy usage – all from their mobile phones. These innovations are possible. We simply need commitment, investment, and brilliant local minds – the same kind that built this app.”
!Hanabeb noted that their achievement is the first of its kind for electricity distributors in Namibia.
“As part of our ongoing digital transformation journey, we have invested nearly N$25 million in advanced digital solutions designed to automate operations and enhance service delivery," he said.
Among these are the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, an enterprise asset management system, a modern telephony platform, and a comprehensive supply chain management system.
In addition, Erongo Red has developed a new and improved corporate website, which will be launched soon.
Nawa Likando, MTC’s digital transformation manager said they are proud to have contributed to the development of the mobile app.
“This partnership exemplifies effective collaboration. It demonstrates that when two organisations share a common purpose – in this case, improving lives through technology – the outcomes can only be truly remarkable."
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