Powering Development: Namibia’s Roadmap to Renewable Energy and Universal Access

Namibia’s National Energy Compact sets out a plan to expand electricity and clean cooking access, cut reliance on costly power imports, and scale up renewable energy as the backbone of economic growth and energy security. It positions clean, domestic power and regional energy trade as central to jobs, affordability, and long-term development by 2030 and beyond.

Namibia is placing energy at the center of its development strategy. Drawing on research and data from institutions such as the World Bank, the Electricity Control Board of Namibia, the Namibia Statistics Agency, and development partners including KfW and AFD, the country’s National Energy Compact under the Africa-wide Mission 300 initiative lays out a clear plan to expand access to electricity, cut dependence on imports, and accelerate the shift to clean energy. The report treats energy not just as infrastructure, but as a foundation for jobs, equity, and long-term economic resilience.

Despite its upper-middle-income status, Namibia still faces deep energy gaps. Only about six in ten households have access to electricity, and fewer than half use clean fuels for cooking. Rural communities are the most affected, relying heavily on firewood and candles. High electricity tariffs, among the highest in Africa, make access unaffordable for many households, even where the grid exists. The government openly acknowledges that affordability, rather than technical capacity, is now the main obstacle to universal access.

Breaking Dependence on Imported Power

Energy security is a central concern driving the report. Namibia currently imports more than half of its electricity, mainly from South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. During droughts or peak demand periods, imports can rise to nearly 90 percent. This dependence exposes the country to price shocks, foreign exchange risk, and supply disruptions beyond its control.

To change this, the government is committing to scaling up domestic generation. By 2030, renewables are expected to supply 70 percent of Namibia’s electricity mix, up from just over half today. This means adding 454 megawatts of new capacity from solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower, supported by battery energy storage to stabilize the grid. With some of the best solar and wind resources in the world, Namibia sees clean energy not as an environmental obligation, but as a cost-saving and security-enhancing choice.

From National Grid to Regional Hub

Namibia’s ambitions do not stop at its borders. The report positions the country as a future energy hub for Southern Africa. Planned transmission links with Angola, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe aim to strengthen regional power trade within the Southern African Power Pool.

These interconnectors would allow Namibia to import hydropower from the north during shortages and export renewable electricity when surplus is available. The strategy could generate transit revenues, improve regional energy stability, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels across the region. In this vision, Namibia becomes not just energy secure, but strategically important in the regional power system.

Reaching Homes and Kitchens

Expanding access to households is a core priority. By 2030, Namibia plans to connect 210,000 additional households to electricity, raising national access to 70 percent. Most connections will come from grid expansion, but off-grid solar systems and mini-grids will play a key role in sparsely populated areas where grid rollout is slow and expensive.

To support this, the government proposes a National Electrification Funding Portfolio that blends public budgets, donor support, and private finance, while protecting low-income households from high connection costs. Electrification is closely linked to productive uses, such as irrigation, food processing, and small businesses, to ensure electricity improves incomes, not just lighting.

Clean cooking receives new attention. The report commits to providing modern cooking solutions to 200,000 households by 2030. Electricity, gas, solar cooking, and improved biomass stoves are all part of the mix. Carbon finance and results-based subsidies are expected to help make these technologies affordable, while national standards aim to improve quality and trust. For women and children, the shift promises major health and time-saving benefits.

Making the System Work

The report is candid about institutional challenges. Utilities face financial pressure from high import costs, aging infrastructure, and growing demand. To address this, Namibia plans to move toward performance-based regulation, invest in digital systems and smart grids, and strengthen outage management and planning tools.

Private investment is seen as essential but constrained by regulatory bottlenecks. Reforms to licensing, procurement, and market rules aim to unlock more private capital, especially in renewables and energy storage. Alongside this, the government emphasizes skills development, job creation, and women’s inclusion to ensure the energy transition delivers broad social benefits.