An electricity infrastructure audit is actively taking shape in one of Windhoek's most densely populated northern suburbs, signalling a renewed push by the city to get a firm grip on the true state of its power network.

Okuryangava - a busy township in the Katutura area - is the current focus of a comprehensive audit and utility infrastructure valuation exercise being carried out by a city-appointed consulting team.

The review, which spans a two-day window running from early morning to late afternoon on each day, involves teams moving through the suburb to carry out hands-on electrical pole inspection and assess all related power assets on the ground.

The timing of the exercise could not be more pressing.

Windhoek has been navigating a serious infrastructure challenge for years, with a large portion of its electricity distribution network flagged as ageing and in need of either replacement or significant upgrade.

A broader city-wide audit of the entire electricity network - launched as a 12-month exercise - is focused on identifying which assets are degrading fastest and where future capital investment should be directed as demand continues to climb.

The City of Windhoek has also committed to a sweeping electrification drive, with thousands of households across informal settlements having already been connected to the grid, and further connections planned as part of a five-year programme stretching to 2028.

Okuryangava sits squarely within that zone of priority development.

The suburb has seen a surge in community investment in recent years, from new retail outlets opening to the groundbreaking of a second Waste Buy-Back Centre on Omuvapu Street - a sign that local economic activity is on the rise.

That growth brings with it a rising burden on existing electrical infrastructure, making the current valuation exercise all the more critical for long-term planning.

Residents and property owners in the affected area are asked to cooperate fully with the inspection teams operating in the suburb during the designated hours.

The consulting team conducting the utility infrastructure valuation will carry official municipal identification, operate branded vehicles, and wear branded clothing - all measures designed to help the public verify the legitimacy of anyone requesting access to a property.

Access to private and commercial properties is essential for the teams to complete a full and accurate assessment of every pole, cable, and related asset in the area.

Windhoek's electricity infrastructure has faced growing scrutiny at a national level, with a recent industry assessment rating much of Namibia's regional distribution network as in poor condition - a finding that has added urgency to local-level audits like this one.

Officials say the data gathered during exercises like the one underway in Okuryangava feeds directly into investment decisions, tariff planning, and future maintenance schedules across the capital.

Residents with questions or concerns about the exercise can reach the municipal customer contact centre through the official contact numbers provided by the city.