Aina Kauluma at the forefront of Namibia’s energy future

Aina Kauluma has been appointed as an energy transition research fellow at the Africa Institute of Environmental Law (AIEL), where she is leading research aimed at advancing a fair, inclusive and environmentally sustainable energy transition in Namibia and across the region. 

For the past seven months, her work has focused on ensuring that renewable energy development delivers tangible benefits to communities.

“Renewable energy must not only be technically viable, but socially just and inclusive,” Kauluma said. “My research asks who benefits, how communities are protected, and how governance systems can deliver fairness.”

Roots shaped by Oranjemund

Kauluma’s passion for sustainability was shaped by her upbringing in Oranjemund, a diamond mining town. “Growing up there, I saw how a single resource could both sustain and harm a community,” she said.

“That experience made me question long-term development models and the impact of extractive industries on people and land.”

She said witnessing environmental degradation alongside economic dependence on mining motivated her to pursue renewable energy as a pathway to sustainable development.

Academic and professional path

Kauluma studied physics and mathematics at undergraduate level, completed a BSc Honours in applied physics, and later obtained an MSc in renewable energy from the University of Namibia. During her studies, she became aware of what she describes as Namibia’s energy paradox.

“We have abundant solar and wind resources, yet many citizens still struggle with energy access,” she said. “That contradiction pushed me to look beyond science into policy, economics and governance.”

She later worked in Namibia’s green hydrogen sector, where she gained experience in technical project analysis and investment frameworks.

Research meets policy and communities

At AIEL, Kauluma combines desktop research and data analysis with stakeholder engagement. 

Her work includes producing policy briefs, facilitating civil society workshops and engaging policymakers and the private sector.

“Research must be transformed into practical tools that inform real decisions,” she stressed. “It should include diverse voices in the energy conversation.”

Kauluma’s research supports national goals such as Harambee Prosperity Plan II and Namibia’s commitment to a just transition. “An energy transition is not just about new infrastructure,” she said. “It is about improving lives and creating equitable futures.”