Namibia - Power plug, socket & mains voltage in Namibia

What type of plugs and sockets are used in Namibia?

When you are going on a trip to Namibia, be sure to pack the appropriate travel plug adapter that fits the local sockets. But what do those electrical outlets look like? Although type M sockets are the official standard in Namibia, type C sockets are ubiquitous as well. Both M and C can be found in every home and hotel. Buildings constructed or renovated after 2018 often also have the new South African-style type N sockets, which are fully compatible with the commonly used type C plugs.

Background information

Namibia, occupied by South Africa from 1915 to 1990, adopted the same plug system as South Africa, which was the pre-1950s UK standard: types D & M. Originally, there were four plug and socket versions: 2 A, 5 A (=type D), 15 A (=type M) and 30 A. Namibia initially standardized on both the 5 amp plug (type D) and the 15 amp plug (type M), but in the end only type M remained. In older buildings, however, type D sockets can still be found.

Due to the large volume of imported appliances equipped with incompatible types of plugs (mostly type C), virtually everybody is using plug adapters to fit type M sockets. In neighbouring South Africa, a new type of plug and socket system has been introduced: type N, which is fully compatible with type C, but not with type M. Type N has gradually started to replace the old type M in South Africa, but so far the process has been very slow. Because of the strong trade ties between Namibia and South Africa, type N sockets have also started to appear in Namibia and can be found almost all newly constructed or renovated buildings.

Click here for a global map showing the spread of the different plug types used around the world.

Click here for a detailed list of the countries of the world with their respective plug and outlet types, voltage and frequency.