5 000 households get electricity in Namibia annually - Nangombe

Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines, and Energy executive director, Ben Nangombe, said only about 5 000 households are connected annually in Namibia, far below the required 40 000 per year. Nangombe spoke on Tuesday at a high-level stakeholder meeting with chief executive officers (CEOs), technical experts, procurement officers, finance managers, and support staff representing different institutions and accounting officers in the country’s electricity distribution sector in Ondangwa.The meeting was under the theme “A New Mandate for Electrification: National Targets and Sector Mobilisation”. Nangombe said that 59.4% of Namibian households have access to electricity and the government has committed to increasing this to 70% by 2030 and electrifying 400 000 households by 2040 under the Africa-wide Energy Compact initiative.He called for urgent action, enhanced coordination, and uncompromising accountability to meet Namibia’s national electrification targets. Nangombe also urged electricity distributors to accelerate project implementation to connect 160 000 households by 2030.Urgent actionAccording to Nangombe, service delivery in health, education, and economic activity is either severely compromised or impossible without electricity. “Without electricity, babies are delivered by torchlight, vaccines spoil, and schools cannot function effectively. It is one of the critical catalysts for industrialisation, education, and public health,” he said, emphasising that electricity is not a luxury but a fundamental enabler of public services, economic growth, and human development. Nangombe also called on stakeholders, technical experts, finance officers, and procurement managers to shift from business as usual to “business unusual,” stressing that time is not a luxury Namibia can afford. “We must start delivering today,” Nangombe stated. “Every year we miss that target, the burden grows heavier and the backlog longer,” he warned. The meeting also addressed delays in signing service-level agreements (SLAs) with key implementing partners. “We planned to sign them today. That some of you are not ready is disappointing. Every SLA must be signed by the end of May. No exceptions,” he said, adding that the first round of new projects will be inaugurated by August.Vet projects to avoid future wasteNangombe also used the platform to highlight the importance of operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, warning that inefficiency translates directly into higher tariffs for consumers. He advocated for smarter planning, including prioritising low-cost, high-density connection areas and considering off-grid solar solutions where grid extension is uneconomical. Citing past failures, such as electrified but unused school buildings in Oshikoto, he stressed the need for technology-neutral and demand-driven planning. The Electricity Control Board (ECB) was urged to vet projects to avoid future waste. Nangombe added that Namibia’s participation in the Africa Energy Compact, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, is a strategic opportunity to attract financing and scale up access. However, he cautioned that success depends on strong national ownership and execution. He said the electrification drive is a shared mission that demands transparency, urgency, and results. “We have to be intentional and focused like a laser beam. We do not have the luxury of time. If we organise ourselves well, we can bring power to every community and light up the future of this country,” Nangombe said. Acting Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) CEO Toivo Shovaleka also stressed the importance of efficiency, especially in light of rising consumer costs and how stakeholders can work together to ensure efficient service delivery in projects. tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

5 000 households get electricity in Namibia annually - Nangombe

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-14

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5 000 households get electricity in Namibia annually - Nangombe

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-14

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