The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, working with the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (CENORED), has connected 561 households across four regions at a cost of N$21 million under a joint electrification programme.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Ombili electrification project in Otjiwarongo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Natangue Ithete, said the project was made possible through a combined investment of N$12 million from the ministry and more than N$9 million from CENORED.
“The result has been powerful. With N$12 million from the Ministry and over N$9 million from CENORED, we connected 561 households across four regions to date,” he said.
Ithete said the programme is part of Namibia’s commitment to the African Mission 300 Energy Compact, which aims to electrify 300 million households by 2040. For Namibia, the target is 200,000 new connections by 2030 and 400,000 by 2040. He added that the initiative is supported by a Service Level Agreement signed between the ministry and Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs), which pools resources, shares responsibilities and sets clear targets.
The minister also highlighted government’s new off-grid electrification programme, which complements the Solar Revolving Fund and allows households in remote areas to access loans for solar systems.
“These solar systems are quality products designed to provide modern electricity to our communities living far from the grid, as such we must take ownership and pride in them,” he said.
Ithete noted that the new connections were already improving livelihoods. He said the availability of electricity was helping traders expand their businesses beyond dry goods, enabling young mechanics to work after hours and allowing tailors to finish sewing orders at night.
At household level, he added, families were saving money by avoiding travel for electricity-based services, and street lighting was improving safety and security. “Criminals could no longer take advantage of darkness,” he said.
