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In Windhoek on the 12th of June 2025, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy marked a pivotal moment in its national agenda to bring electricity to every corner of Namibia. At the heart of this effort, Executive Director and Accounting Officer of the Ministry, Ben Nangombe, addressed a gathering of stakeholders, partners, and members of the media during a formal signing ceremony of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with Regional Electricity Distributors.
This moment, Nangombe noted, was not just about signatures on paper. It was a declaration of shared intent. A promise to accelerate access to electricity and deliver tangible change for the people of Namibia. From Keetmanshoop to Puros, from Tsumkwe to Rehoboth, thousands of households still live in the dark, figuratively and literally. That must change.
Under the leadership of Her Excellency President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia has committed to increasing national electricity access from the current 59.4 percent to 70 percent by the year 2030. That equates to connecting over 200,000 additional households, many in rural and peri-urban communities. The goal is national in scale and urgent in nature. It requires more than ambition. It demands coordinated execution, strategic partnerships, and focused investment.
The signing of SLAs with Namibia’s regional electricity distributors is a key mechanism to deliver on this promise. Nangombe outlined the financial allocations backing these agreements. N$30 million to the City of Windhoek, who previously connected over 800 homes using half that amount. N$20 million to CENORED for household electrification and an additional N$16 million for upgrades at Tsumkwe and Gam’s Solar Hybrid Stations. N$20 million for Erongo RED. N$30 million for NORED. N$7 million for Oshakati Premier Electric (OPE), who joins this initiative as a new implementing partner. In the south, //AU-OB RED receives N$12 million, supported by financial and in-kind contributions from local authorities.
In a noteworthy expansion of the initiative, a new SLA will be signed with the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) for N$8 million to establish a solar mini-grid in Puros Village in the Kunene Region. This partnership signals a strategic shift beyond traditional electricity distributors to include agencies that can help move the needle in hard-to-reach areas.
Nangombe was candid. The money allocated is not enough. Meeting the national target requires each partner to step up beyond what is written into agreements. They are expected to bring their own resources, technical teams, donor networks, and procurement capacity. Encouragingly, every entity present had already committed to contribute, according to their means. //AU-OB RED, for example, is leveraging joint funding with MIME, the KEBU utility, and local councils. A model Nangombe believes should be replicated across the country.
While some SLA partners were not present due to internal finalisations, Nangombe reassured attendees that no delay would be tolerated. The Ministry is determined to keep momentum, and all remaining agreements will be signed without hesitation.
He also emphasised that the Ministry is focused on action, not announcements. The first round of SLAs from last year taught valuable lessons. Lessons now shaping how current agreements are structured. There are clearer reporting requirements, stricter timelines, greater accountability, and enhanced transparency in procurement. An SLA is not simply a cheque, Nangombe reminded those present. It is a contract. With it comes obligation, accountability, and public trust.
At the core of all this effort lies the human impact. Electricity is not just power. It is empowerment. It enables home-based businesses, helps children study at night, keeps vaccines cold in rural clinics, powers water pumps for farmers, and restores dignity and security. In essence, electricity transforms lives.
The Ministry is also open to varied technology solutions. While traditional grid expansion remains vital, in some communities, mini-grids or hybrid systems may be more practical and sustainable. This technology-neutral stance reflects a pragmatic approach. What matters is not legacy systems, but what works best.
Namibia is also actively engaging with development cooperation partners through initiatives like the Energy Compact Namibia and the M300 Initiative. These long-term platforms aim to scale up energy access and modernise delivery systems. But as Nangombe made clear, Namibia is not waiting for donor money. The country is moving forward with what it has and with resolve.
Closing his remarks, Nangombe left the room with a final call to purpose. There are 200,000 households waiting to be connected. The only way to reach them is through strong partnerships, rigorous execution, and unwavering focus. This is not just about installing infrastructure. It is about building bridges between ambition and reality, between government institutions and the people they serve.
The message was clear. Namibia is serious about electrifying its future. And that future begins now.
