Electricity industry leaders have gathered at Swakopmund for the 15th Annual Technical Conference of the Association of Electricity Distribution Utilities (AEDU) to discuss the future of electricity in Namibia.

The conference brings together electricity distributors, policymakers, and experts to address challenges facing the country's energy sector, including rising tariffs, infrastructure needs, and expanding access to power.

"While Namibia continues to face electricity supply constraints, we encourage industry leaders to invest in diverse energy solutions, including renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which Namibia is richly endowed with. Harnessing these resources can increase local energy production while supporting the country's socio-economic development," said Swakopmund Mayor Suama Kautondokwa.

Industry representatives say Namibia still faces a significant challenge in reaching universal electricity access.

According to data presented at the conference, about 400,000 households in the country remain without electricity, despite national targets to reach full electrification by 2040.

AEDU Namibia member Jason Iyambo explained that "we have only moved about 5% in the last ten years or 15 years. Interestingly, we also consider our peers, such as Eswatini, Kenya, and Botswana. At some point, we were actually just the same as them, but today Kenya and Eswatini are close to 80%, and Namibia is still hovering below 59%. That's a very big question that we need to answer ourselves."

Delegates also discussed the impact of global factors on energy costs, including fluctuations in oil prices and increasing electricity tariffs, as well as funding for electrification projects.

The conference seeks to explore solutions such as renewable energy, smart technologies, and stronger partnerships to improve electricity distribution across the country.