Namibia's electricity supply industry has gathered in Windhoek to explore ways of making energy more affordable, reliable and sustainable.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse said affordability must remain at the centre of Namibia's energy transformation.

The one-day forum explored how innovation, investment and collaboration can make electricity more affordable and accessible while transforming Namibia's energy sector.

Minister Amutse stressed that electricity tariffs must take into account the realities faced by households, pensioners and small businesses.

" Electricity is affordable when a household can pay for enough of it to meet its basic needs without sacrificing food, rent or other essentials. For a small business, electricity must be reliable and priced at a level that allows the business to survive and grow."

He emphasised that affordability should be considered from the perspective of young people seeking employment, pensioners and small traders whose livelihoods depend on daily income.

He said the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2025/2026 Household Income and Expenditure Survey found that 17.4% of the population lived below the national upper poverty line.

He further noted that the same survey showed salaries and wages were the main source of income for only 53.6% of households.

"So, we cannot base our understanding of customers on the assumption that everyone receives a dependable salary at the end of the month when considering affordability."

City of Windhoek Councillor Mateus Shoongo said reliable and accessible electricity remains fundamental to Namibia's economic growth, social development and effective municipal service delivery.

"Electricity is one of those things we often take for granted until it becomes unavailable. Yet, almost every aspect of modern life depends on it. It powers the pumps that move water to our communities, traffic lights that keep our roads safe, cold-chain systems that preserve life-saving medicines, and the technology that enables businesses to operate and grow."

Shoongo says Windhoek's rapid expansion and growing demand for electricity are putting pressure on existing infrastructure, highlighting the need for a reliable, resilient and accessible power network.