NEW YORK, 20 September 2026 — President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for a clean and inclusive global energy transition that supports economic development, creates jobs and expands access to reliable and affordable energy in developing countries.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks on Sunday during the United Nations Private Sector Forum, hosted by the UN Global Compact in New York, under the theme “Advancing a Clean, Just and Secure Energy Future.”
The President said energy policy is increasingly linked to economic security, climate resilience and human development, stressing that the global energy transition must be accelerated while taking into account the different circumstances of developing countries.
“For Namibia, this is not an abstract policy debate,” she said, noting that reliable and affordable energy has a direct impact on rural healthcare, small businesses and employment opportunities for young people.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the success of the clean energy transition should not be measured only by installed energy capacity or reduced emissions, but also by the number of jobs created, communities connected, skills developed and industries established.
She reaffirmed Namibia’s support for the objectives of the Paris Agreement and efforts to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, she stressed that the transition should not undermine developing countries’ ability to industrialise, eradicate poverty and achieve universal access to energy.
“A transition that leaves communities without power, workers without viable alternatives or countries trapped at the bottom of global value chains will neither be durable nor fair,” she said.
The President said Namibia’s approach is centred on diversifying its energy system, expanding domestic energy generation and strengthening regional integration.
At the continental level, she said Africa should view the energy transition as an opportunity for industrialisation rather than focusing solely on exporting electricity or unprocessed minerals.
She called for greater use of clean energy to support manufacturing, mineral beneficiation, food production, modern transport systems and the development of skilled workforces.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also outlined the respective roles of governments, businesses and international partners in advancing the transition. Governments, she said, must provide policy direction, predictability and infrastructure, while the private sector should contribute investment, innovation and responsible implementation.
She further called on the United Nations, development finance institutions and international partners to support the process through financing, common standards and stronger international cooperation.
The President invited private-sector leaders to work with Namibia in advancing a cleaner and more secure energy future, with opportunities for young people and women to participate in the emerging industries.
She said such cooperation could contribute to a healthier environment, greater prosperity and a more inclusive energy transition.
