OBSERVER DAILY | Electricity cannot become a luxury for the rich
There was a time, not too long ago, when a twenty-dollar note could buy you enough electricity to last a few days. Today, that same N$20 barely gives you a handful of units that flicker out before you even notice the lights are on. For many Namibians, this is no longer just a minor inconvenience. It is a looming crisis that threatens to turn electricity, one of the most basic necessities of modern life, into a luxury product reserved for the wealthy.
On Friday, the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) announced a 3.8% increase in tariffs for the current financial year. The Electricity Control Board (ECB) gave the green light, arguing that the increment was necessary to cover the rising cost of bulk electricity from the national utility. But for ordinary people, the announcement felt like yet another blow in a long list of blows to their livelihoods.
The human cost of rising tariffs
Across the country, people are asking how they will survive when electricity keeps getting more expensive every year. There is a growing fear that soon only the rich will be able to afford power. Electricity, they say, has become so costly that one can no longer buy meaningful units with small amounts like N$20, as was the case before. What once lasted for days now barely lasts for a few hours. For many, the feeling is that electricity is no longer for the people, it has become the preserve of those with money.
This reality is not abstract. Electricity powers the stove that cooks food, the lights that allow children to study, the fridges that keep medicines safe, and the water pumps that supply villages. When electricity becomes unaffordable, it is not just about being unable to charge a phone or keep the TV on. It’s about being locked out of the basic infrastructure of life. Electrifying rural areas, while commendable, becomes meaningless if the people in those areas cannot afford to keep the lights on.
The business community speaks out
The business sector, too, is crying foul. Many small and medium businesses are already struggling to stay afloat, operating at a loss in an economy weighed down by inflation and sluggish consumer demand. For them, an increase in electricity tariffs is a heavy blow. They argue that no consultations were held with stakeholders before the decision was made, and that this is unfair to both consumers and businesses. The frustration is simple: how can electricity costs rise when businesses are already on their knees?
Owners of small shops, bakeries, hair salons, and other enterprises say every percentage point matters. A small bakery in Oshakati or a barbershop in Katima Mulilo cannot absorb these costs the way a multinational corporation can. Some warn that unless this increment is reversed, they will be left with no choice but to close their doors, putting even more Namibians out of work.
More concerning still is the perception that those who run these institutions are disconnected from the lives of ordinary citizens. Many believe that tariff increases are less about keeping the system afloat and more about maintaining the expensive lifestyles and high salaries of executives. In their view, the poor are made to carry the burden while those at the top continue to enjoy comfort.
A matter of justice
Electricity is not just another commodity. It is not like a luxury car, a holiday in Mauritius, or a five-star meal. It is a public good that touches every part of our lives. That is why government intervention is not only justified but urgently needed. Left unchecked, the trajectory of rising electricity tariffs will ensure that Namibia becomes one of the most expensive countries in the region to power a household or run a business.
And when electricity becomes unaffordable, the costs ripple through society. Children study by candlelight, leading to poorer educational outcomes. Families resort to unsafe cooking methods, increasing health risks. Small businesses close shop, deepening unemployment. Rural electrification projects lose their meaning, as villagers choose to return to firewood and paraffin.
This is not the future Namibia fought for. Electricity should not become a dividing line between rich and poor. It should be the great equaliser that gives every child, every family, and every entrepreneur the chance to thrive.
The way forward
So, what needs to happen? First, government must insist that utilities and distributors engage in genuine stakeholder consultations before any tariff increase is approved. People must feel that their voices count, not just after the fact but in shaping the decision.
Second, there needs to be a frank conversation about efficiency in the electricity sector itself. Too often, critics point to bloated salaries and expensive lifestyles of executives in these parastatals while ordinary people are told to tighten their belts. Transparency and accountability in how tariffs are set and how revenues are spent must become the norm, not the exception.
Third, targeted subsidies should be explored for the most vulnerable households and small businesses. If government can subsidise fuel, surely it can find ways to cushion the poor from being priced out of electricity altogether.
Lastly, Namibia must accelerate its investment in renewable energy. If we harness our abundant sun and wind resources, we could reduce our reliance on imported power and volatile pricing structures. Renewable energy is not just about saving the environment; it is about securing affordability and stability for generations to come.
A call for leadership
The current situation calls for bold and compassionate leadership. It is not enough to say that tariffs must rise because bulk supply costs have risen. That explanation, while technically correct, is morally insufficient. Leaders must weigh the broader social and economic consequences. They must ask: who is being left in the dark, and at what cost to our nation’s future?
Namibia cannot afford to let electricity become a symbol of inequality. We must act now to ensure that the lights stay on — not just for the wealthy, but for every Namibian, in every village, town, and city.
Because when electricity becomes unaffordable, it is not just the lights that go out. It is the hope of a fair and just society.
