The Namibian government has financed the electrification of 2,634 households over the past two financial years at a cost of N$95.3 million, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, has disclosed.
According to Ithete, 1,956 households were electrified during the 2024/25 financial year through a N$75.5 million investment, while a further 678 households were connected in 2023/24 at a cost of N$19.8 million.
“The Ministry facilitated the electrification of Peri-Urban households in the three areas under-serviced by Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs) and by the City of Windhoek,†said Ithete.
In addition to the recent efforts, the ministry also connected 1,503 households to both off-grid and national grid electricity over the past five years, amounting to N$55.6 million.
Through the Rural Electrification Programme of the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy (MIME), government has also electrified schools, other public institutions, and households at a cost of N$308.5 million.
“A total of 326 public institutions and 1,074 households were electrified for the period 2020–2025,†Ithete added.
The minister stressed the importance of energy security and sustainable development, stating: “Namibia needs to prioritise energy security, promote renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, water and green hydrogen, while ensuring sustainable energy access to drive economic growth and development.â€
In 2023, the ministry committed to funding the electrification of 400 off-grid rural households through the Solar Revolving Fund.
A Geospatial Least-Cost Electrification Plan (GLCEP) study found that approximately 432,000 existing and future households in Namibia still require electricity to achieve universal access. The cost of reaching this target by 2030 was estimated at N$13.4 billion.
However, the goal has since been revised to 2040 by former Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo.
