CHAMWE KAIRA
Electricity sales in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 2.8%, rising from 946.3 million kWh in the corresponding period of 2025 to 920.2 million kWh in 2025, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency first quarter statistics.
The Electricity and Water sector recorded a 2.5% increase in real value added during the first quarter of 2026, slower than the 5.9% growth registered in the same quarter of 2025.
Sector performance was largely supported by the Water subsector, which grew by 8.5% in the first quarter of 2026, a turnaround from a 0.6% contraction recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025. This improvement was mainly driven by increased water supply.
In contrast, the Electricity subsector posted a marginal increase of 0.4% in real value added, down from 8.4% growth recorded in the first quarter of 2025. The subsector’s performance was primarily supported by electricity sales.
Domestic electricity production (own generation) declined by 15.3%, falling from 816.8 million kWh in the first quarter of 2025 to 692.0 million kWh in the first quarter of 2026.
Over the same period, electricity imports increased significantly by 32.9%, rising from 548.5 million kWh to 729.2 million kWh.
Two months ago, NamPower announced a major development in the country’s electricity sector when it listed its N$5 billion Domestic Medium-Term Note (DMTN) Programme on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX).
Namibia imported 1 079 GWh of electricity from South Africa in the financial year ending 31 March 2025, according to Eskom’s international sales by country report.
The imports cost Namibia N$1.5 billion in revenue contributions to Eskom.
Namibia’s imports more than doubled from 423 GWh in 2024 but were below the 1,653 GWh recorded in 2022.
During the same period, Eskom concluded a firm supply agreement with Namibia, Botswana and Zambia to strengthen regional trade and support drought-hit markets.
The report listed Namibia among Eskom’s top international customers, with total international sales contributing N$21.6 billion in revenue.
Namibia, together with other Southern African countries, forms part of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which enables cross-border trade and grid stability.
Eskom’s integrated report for 2025 noted that international electricity sales rose 40% year-on-year, driven by emergency supply and opportunistic sales to neighbouring states.
“This growth was partly driven by drought, which reduced hydropower availability in the region. To stabilise supply, Eskom finalised or extended long-term power contracts with Namibia, Botswana and Zambia,” the utility said.
Namibia was among the top buyers of South African electricity alongside Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
