Karibu Kwetu Solar Trading LTD (PTY), a Namibian social enterprise, announced a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainable development. The company has been officially listed as a Capacity Partner on the WiRE Africa South Chapter page, marking a new chapter in its mission to revolutionize communities through renewable energy.
This partnership with Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) underscores a shared commitment to fostering gender-inclusive leadership, advancing innovation in the clean energy sector, and building a more sustainable and equitable future across Namibia and beyond. Let’s dive into what this collaboration means, why it matters, and how it aligns with broader goals for renewable energy and gender equity in Africa.
Karibu Kwetu Solar Trading LTD, based in Namibia, has been a trailblazer in the renewable energy space since its inception. As a social enterprise, its mission goes beyond profit—it’s about transforming lives through cutting-edge solar power systems, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable development practices.
The company reinvests its profits to amplify its social and environmental impact, focusing on long-term economic growth, energy independence, and eco-friendly education initiatives. By implementing solar energy, battery storage, and wind power solutions, Karibu Kwetu is helping communities reduce their carbon footprints, achieve sustainability, and gain access to cleaner energy.
Namibia, a country with vast potential for renewable energy, faces significant energy challenges. According to a 2024 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Namibia currently imports 60-70% of its electricity, leading to high energy costs and energy insecurity.
Additionally, around 45% of Namibians lack access to electricity, with rural areas being particularly underserved due to the country’s expansive and sparsely populated terrain. Karibu Kwetu is addressing these challenges head-on by providing off-grid solar solutions that bring power to remote communities, fostering environmental stewardship, and empowering future generations through education.
The company’s vision aligns with Namibia’s national goals, including the ambitious target to produce 80% of its electricity domestically by 2028, with a heavy emphasis on expanding renewable capacity through solar and wind projects.
By 2030, Namibia aims to have 70% of its energy mix come from renewables, a goal that Karibu Kwetu is actively supporting through its innovative projects and community-focused approach.
Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) is a global network dedicated to advancing the role of women in the renewable energy sector. The organization’s Africa South Chapter, where Karibu Kwetu has now been listed as a Capacity Partner, focuses on empowering women through education, networking, and leadership opportunities in the clean energy space.
WiRE’s mission is to change the energy future through community power, and it does so by fostering gender-inclusive policies, supporting women-led initiatives, and creating platforms for collaboration and innovation.
Sub-Saharan Africa, where the Africa South Chapter operates, is a global leader in gender mainstreaming within energy sector policy development. A 2017 report, Energizing Equality, highlighted that 73% of national energy policies in the region include gender considerations, outperforming all other regions globally.
For example, South Africa’s Energy Policy mandates the development of an employment equity plan to address gender imbalances and attract skilled women to the sector. Across the region, women are increasingly engaged in the entrepreneurship of innovative energy solutions, from production to distribution and servicing of energy technologies.
WiRE’s work is particularly crucial in a region where women often bear the brunt of energy poverty. In rural and urban areas alike, women face time poverty due to the lack of access to reliable energy, which limits their economic and educational opportunities. By promoting gender-responsive energy policies and empowering women in the sector, WiRE is helping to address these challenges while driving sustainable development.
The partnership between Karibu Kwetu Solar and WiRE is a natural fit, as both organizations share a commitment to sustainability, empowerment, and innovation. For Karibu Kwetu, being listed as a Capacity Partner on the WiRE Africa South Chapter page is a recognition of its efforts to advance gender-inclusive leadership in the renewable energy sector. It also provides a platform to collaborate with like-minded organizations and individuals who are working toward a cleaner, more equitable energy future.
Through this partnership, Karibu Kwetu will contribute its expertise in solar solutions and community empowerment to WiRE’s broader mission. This includes supporting women in energy through training programs, mentorship, and opportunities to lead renewable energy projects.
By working together, the two organizations aim to spark real change—empowering communities, supporting women in leadership roles, and building a sustainable future one solar solution at a time.
The collaboration also aligns with Namibia’s broader development goals, as outlined in policies like Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plans. These frameworks emphasize the importance of renewable energy, gender equity, and economic growth in achieving sustainable development.
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By investing in renewable energy and fostering partnerships like the one with WiRE, Namibia is positioning itself as a leader in the clean energy transition while addressing critical social issues like poverty and inequality.
The partnership between Karibu Kwetu Solar and WiRE comes at a pivotal moment for Namibia and the broader African continent. With the global push for clean energy and the urgent need to address climate change, renewable energy is more important than ever.
In Namibia, the development of solar and wind projects offers a path to energy security, reduced electricity costs, and universal electricity access—particularly in rural areas where off-grid solutions are often the most viable option.
At the same time, the focus on gender equity in the energy sector is a game-changer. Women in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, yet they are also uniquely positioned to drive innovation and change in the sector.
By empowering women through education, leadership opportunities, and access to resources, organizations like WiRE and Karibu Kwetu are not only addressing gender imbalances but also unlocking the potential for more inclusive and sustainable development.
This partnership also has the potential to create ripple effects beyond Namibia. As a Capacity Partner, Karibu Kwetu can share its expertise and best practices with other organizations in the WiRE network, contributing to a regional movement for clean energy and gender equity. In turn, it can learn from the experiences of others, adopting new strategies to enhance its impact in Namibia and across Africa.
For Karibu Kwetu, this partnership is an opportunity to amplify its impact, reach new communities, and empower more women in the energy sector. For WiRE, it’s a chance to strengthen its network in the Africa South Chapter and advance its mission of changing the energy future through community power. Together, they are proving that collaboration is key to addressing the complex challenges of energy access, sustainability, and gender equity.
As Namibia continues to harness its renewable energy potential, partnerships like this one will be crucial to ensuring that the benefits of clean energy are shared equitably. By empowering communities, supporting women in leadership, and building sustainable infrastructure, Karibu Kwetu Solar and WiRE are helping to create a future where energy is not just clean, but also inclusive and accessible to all.
