A small but important step towards Namibia’s electric future

The launch of a pilot electric vehicle (EV) charging station at the ministry of works and transport headquarters in Windhoek marks a modest but significant milestone in Namibia’s journey towards modern and sustainable transport. Announced by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi in the National Assembly on Thursday, the initiative represents more than simply installing a charging point. It signals a recognition by the government that the global transport landscape is changing and that Namibia must begin positioning itself for that future.

Electric vehicles are no longer a distant concept reserved for wealthy nations. Across Europe, Asia, North America and increasingly Africa, governments and private sectors are investing heavily in infrastructure that supports cleaner mobility. Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Morocco have already taken notable steps to encourage electric vehicle adoption through policy incentives and charging networks.

By comparison, Namibia has been relatively slow in entering this space. However, being late should not necessarily be viewed as failure. In many instances, late entrants benefit from observing international experiences, avoiding costly mistakes and adopting technologies that are more mature and efficient.