Choi:Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, announced on Sunday the government's plan to provide all Namibians with access to modern electricity services by 2040.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Amutse revealed during a keynote speech at the 29th Tulikonge Cultural Festival that currently only about 59.5% of Namibian households have electricity access. The situation is more severe in rural areas, where access is just 37.9%. The event was held at the Mashi Traditional Authority headquarters in Choi, located in the Kongola Constituency of the Zambezi Region.

The government has allocated N$250 million from the Treasury and an additional N$10 million through the National Energy Fund for the electrification programme scheduled for 2026/27. Previously, rural electrification focused on public institutions such as schools, clinics, and water points, benefiting many people through single connections.

In the Mashi area, electricity and streetlights have already been expanded to include the Mashi Royal Establishment at Choi, encompassing the palace, administrative centre, and nearby households. For the current financial year, N$10 million has been allocated for service connections in four conservancy areas in the Zambezi Region, with N$2.5 million specifically earmarked for Mashi. This project is expected to conclude by the end of the financial year.

Addressing solar energy, Amutse highlighted that many rural households are widely dispersed, making the extension of power lines cost-prohibitive and time-consuming. He advocated for solar home systems or community mini-grids as viable solutions in these areas. He acknowledged the community's scepticism due to past failures of solar systems, which were often due to poor-quality components and lack of maintenance.

Amutse stressed that solar energy should not be seen as a secondary option but rather as a practical solution for providing reliable electricity in remote areas, while also considering future grid expansion.