by Paulo Coelho
Power generation is a key driver of Namibia’s economic transformation. Our nation cannot rely solely on mining and natural resources—proper diversification demands reliable electricity.
The current challenge
Namibia currently imports around 60–70% of its electricity. This dependency results in high energy costs that choke manufacturing potential and limit industrial Growth. The cycle is vicious: without affordable power, businesses cannot expand; without expansion, we cannot invest in the infrastructure that would free us from dependency.
Manufacturing, food processing, mining, value-added industries, and emerging sectors all rely on consistent, affordable electricity to operate competitively. When power is expensive or unreliable, investors look elsewhere, taking jobs and opportunities with them. Every kilowatt we fail to generate locally is potential Growth lost.
The Bangladesh blueprint: Power as a catalyst for transformation
Bangladesh provides a compelling case study. From 2009 to 2022, its electrical generation capacity expanded fivefold—from 5 gigawatts to about 25.5 gigawatts. In 2022, the government declared that 100% of the population had access to electricity.
This dramatic expansion coincided with extraordinary economic Growth. Once dependent on jute and subsistence farming, Bangladesh became a global industrial leader in textiles and apparel. Poverty was halved. GDP surged. By 2013, the textile industry was earning $21.5 billion, contributing over 80% of export revenues and more than 10% of GDP.
The lesson is clear: reliable, affordable electricity unlocks industrial potential. It turns small workshops into global exporters and transforms agricultural economies into industrial powerhouses.
Namibia’s golden opportunity
Namibia can replicate this transformation—perhaps even surpass it. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in this region generate twice as much electricity as similar systems in central Europe. Add world-class wind resources, and our renewable energy potential is not just an environmental asset but an economic game-changer.
Already, Namibia is expected to attract more than $6 billion in foreign direct investment through green hydrogen and green ammonia projects. These industries could position us as a global leader in clean energy, powering high-value manufacturing and export revenue streams.
But the opportunity goes beyond new industries. Imagine every Namibian classroom reliably lit, every hospital powered without interruption, every factory running at full capacity. Reliable power doesn’t just fuel machines—it fuels education, healthcare, jobs, and dignity.
The path forward
The Namibian government has set a bold target: 80% domestic electricity production by 2028. Achieving this is ambitious, but with our renewable resources, it is within reach.
The formula is simple: Power = Growth. When businesses have reliable, affordable electricity, they compete globally and create jobs locally. Every megawatt we generate domestically is a megawatt of independence, prosperity, and hope.
Bangladesh’s transformation took less than two decades. Namibia has superior resources and a strategic location—we can move faster. The real question is not whether we can diversify beyond oil and gas, but how quickly we harness our power potential to secure a prosperous future.
Namibia stands at a crossroads. We can continue exporting opportunity along with our imported electricity, or we can seize this moment to power our own Growth.
The time for action is now. Every delay costs us jobs, investment, and independence. Every step toward energy self-sufficiency moves us closer to prosperity.
Power is not just an economic issue—it is a national imperative. It is the key to unlocking Namibia’s growth story.
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