By Paulo Coelho
Electricity is the lifeblood of any modern economy. Without it, factories fall silent, jobs vanish, and opportunities move elsewhere. Right now, Namibia imports around 60–70% of its electricity, leaving our businesses at the mercy of high costs and unreliable supply.
If we want growth, we need power. Reliable, affordable, homegrown power. Its THAT simple!
The Bangladeshi blueprint
In 2009, Bangladesh generated 5 gigawatts of homegrown electricity. By 2022, it produced more than 25 gigawatts. That single decision, to invest in its own power generation, changed everything. Poverty was halved. GDP surged. Textiles became a $20+ billion industry, employing millions and elevating the country into global relevance.
The message is simple: power unlocks prosperity.
Namibia’s opportunity
Namibia has even greater potential. Our solar systems generate twice the output of central Europe. Add world-class wind from towns like Walvis and Lüderitz, and we hold the ingredients for clean, affordable, and abundant electricity.
Already, more than $6 billion in green hydrogen and ammonia investments are on the horizon. But this is just the beginning. With reliable power, we can light every classroom, power every hospital, and help build new factories and allow them to run at full capacity. Power is not just about machines, it’s about jobs, growth, and opportunity.
Government’s target of producing 80% of our electricity domestically by 2028 is ambitious, but achievable. But we must act with urgency and not operate in on African time. Every megawatt generated locally is a step toward independence. Every delay means lost jobs and lost investments.
Bangladesh took less than two decades to transform. Namibia can move faster. With the right decisions today, we can lead Africa in renewable energy tomorrow.
Namibia stands at a crossroads. Do we continue exporting opportunities along with our imported electricity? Or do we take control of our power and as such, our future?
The formula is simple: Power = Growth.
* Paulo Coelho | Brand Manager | Entrepreneur | Storyteller
