Windhoek residents cry foul over latest electricity hike

Patience Makwele

Windhoek residents, landlords and small business owners have warned that the latest electricity tariff increase could deepen financial pressure on households and businesses already struggling with rising living costs.

The concerns follow the Electricity Control Board’s (ECB) approval of a 3.7% bulk electricity tariff increase for NamPower, effective 1 August 2026.

The approved increase is lower than the 8.4% adjustment initially requested by NamPower, which would have pushed the average bulk electricity tariff from N$2.06 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to N$2.23/kWh.

Under the approved adjustment, the average bulk tariff will increase to N$2.14/kWh.

Although the ECB said the increase passed on to consumers is below the current inflation rate, residents and businesses say even a lower adjustment adds to mounting financial pressure as the cost of essential goods and services continues to rise.