A new dawn has arrived for hundreds of families in Karibib’s Usab informal settlement, where 257 homes have been connected to the electricity grid under a landmark public-private partnership led by Navachab Gold Mine, Erongo RED, and the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
The electrification project, officially inaugurated on Thursday, marks a turning point for the community, promising improved living conditions, expanded economic opportunities, and greater dignity for residents who have lived without power for years.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Navachab Gold Mine Managing Director, George Botshiwe, described the project as “a testament to what is possible when partnerships are driven by purpose, rooted in people, and aligned with progress.”
He said mining should go beyond resource extraction to empower communities and enable lasting development.
“Today, as we help bring electricity to 257 homes in Usab, we are not just lighting houses, we are empowering families, unlocking economic opportunities, and helping pave the way for a better future,” Botshiwe said. “These resources belong to the people of Namibia. We are only stewards.”
Botshiwe said the project aligns with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities, and poverty reduction.
He added that Navachab’s corporate social investment focuses on five pillars: infrastructure development, education and training, health and wellbeing, safety and security, and entrepreneurship and job creation.
He further announced that Navachab will fund the next phase of the Karibib electrification programme to ensure “no one is left behind.”
He also gave an update on the N$80 million world-class medical centre being constructed in Karibib, which is currently at the tender stage, with construction expected to begin in November.
“One of the conditions of that tender is the employment of local Karibib residents, especially the youth,” he said.
Botshiwe thanked Erongo RED, the Karibib Town Council, the Usab Committee, and the residents for their cooperation, describing the initiative as “proof that public-private collaboration delivers tangible results.”
Erongo RED Board Chairperson, Zoe Nambahu, said the project, which directly benefits 257 households, represents a key milestone in extending modern energy access to all Namibians.
“Access to reliable and sustainable electricity is no longer a luxury; it is a cornerstone of development,” she said. “It empowers communities, enhances education, promotes entrepreneurship, and uplifts the dignity of every household.”
Nambahu said the electrification of Usab was jointly funded by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) and Erongo RED, with technical services provided by Faraday’s Electrical & Mechanical cc and NBT Quality Services.
She confirmed that residents are already using appliances such as fridges, televisions, and washing machines, demonstrating the immediate impact of electricity access.
She added that Erongo RED remains committed to supporting vulnerable households through energy subsidies. “Each year, we provide subsidies to over 11,000 vulnerable customers, including pensioners, people with disabilities, and low-income households. To date, these efforts have amounted to over N$216 million over the past 20 years,” she said.
Erongo RED, she added, has also begun mapping unelectrified areas across the region, identifying over 5,800 dwellings in peri-urban areas and 4,500 in rural areas, which require a combined funding of about N$600 million for electrification. She also revealed that the company’s board has approved a 20MW renewable energy project, now in the advanced stages of contractor appointment.
In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Hon. Natangue Ithete, hailed the electrification of 257 houses as a practical demonstration of the government’s goal to achieve 70 per cent electricity access by 2030 under NDP6.
“The 133 households were electrified under the first Service Level Agreement between the Ministry and Erongo RED, while 124 were financed by Navachab Mine in collaboration with the Karibib Town Council,” Ithete said.
He confirmed that a second Service Level Agreement has already been signed to connect another 187 houses in Usab and extend electricity to Extensions 7, 8, and Harambee location in 2026. “This work is already underway,” he said.
The minister emphasised that partnerships between government, local authorities, and the private sector are key to realising universal electricity access by 2040. “The contribution of Navachab Mine towards this electrification project is highly commendable. I call upon all other companies across our country to emulate this exemplary practice,” he said.
Ithete also reminded communities to cooperate with town planning authorities to ensure that electrification is delivered efficiently. “Government cannot electrify unserviced areas,” he warned, urging residents to adhere to town development regulations and protect infrastructure from theft and vandalism.
“Electricity is an enabler of development. It transforms lives and is essential to delivering water, housing, jobs, roads, and safety,” he said. “Let us protect our unity, peace, and stability — the foundation of our growth.”
As the ceremony concluded, officials from Navachab Gold Mine, Erongo RED, and the Karibib Town Council switched on the first lights in the settlement to applause from residents, for the 257 families of Usab, the glow from their new electric bulbs marked not just illumination, but inclusion — a signal that Karibib’s future is bright, connected, and full of promise.
