Joseph Mukendwa
Namibia’s Green Hydrogen sector isn’t just about producing energy—it represents a full value chain that involves producing, handling, storing, and transporting hydrogen. More than that, it has the potential to boost local industries, such as producing Green Hot Briquetted Iron and processing critical raw materials, which can drive the country’s industrial growth. According to the Green Industrialisation Blueprint, fully developing Namibia’s synthetic fuel strategy could create up to 250,000 jobs. This includes about 185,000 direct jobs from green hydrogen activities, like building wind and solar farms, operating pipelines, and assembling electrolysers, and around 70,000 jobs related to concrete manufacturing, basic metals production, and outsourced business services. As the public seeks clearer job estimates, efforts to refine these numbers are ongoing.
For Namibia to take full advantage of these opportunities, developing the right skills is crucial to enabling our people to participate in the hydrogen economy.
Debunking Myths About Green Hydrogen Jobs
Despite the exciting possibilities, several misconceptions about jobs in the green hydrogen sector persist. Let’s clear up a few:
Myth 1: Green jobs only require technical skills. While technical skills are important, the sector also needs people with management, policy, and safety expertise.
Myth 2: Only scientists and engineers can work in green hydrogen. The industry offers opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds, including those with expertise in business, law, and social sciences.
Myth 3: Green jobs don’t pay well. Many roles in this sector offer competitive salaries, given the specialized skills required.
Myth 4: Green hydrogen skills aren’t in demand. With the rapid growth of this sector, there is a high demand for skilled professionals. Currently, Namibia has eight green hydrogen projects at various stages of development.
Myth 5: Green hydrogen jobs are only relevant in developed countries. Namibia’s excellent conditions for renewable energy make it a prime location for green hydrogen, creating local job opportunities.
Skills Needed for the Green Hydrogen Economy
The study “Enhancing Employability” highlights several key skills required for jobs in this sector, including:
Technical Skills: Expertise in renewable energy technologies, hydrogen production, and chemical engineering is essential. Namibia will need thousands of professionals in these technical roles, with qualifications ranging from engineering degrees to TVET certifications for technicians, operators, and maintenance staff.
Scientific Skills: Understanding the science behind hydrogen production and storage is critical. Degrees in chemistry, physics, and environmental science will be valuable, especially for research and development roles.
Managerial Skills: Strong management and leadership abilities will be needed to oversee large projects and operations. This includes skills in project management, strategic planning, and resource allocation.
Health and Safety Expertise: Ensuring safety in hydrogen production and handling is vital. Professionals in this field must be well-versed in safety regulations and risk management.
Regulatory and Policy Knowledge: Understanding the laws and policies surrounding the green hydrogen industry is key for those working in government or regulatory roles.
To realize the full potential of the Green Hydrogen sector, a concerted effort from all key stakeholders is essential. To this end, the Ministry of Mines and Energy is establishing a National Task Force on Education, Training and Research for the Green Hydrogen and Derivatives Sector. The Task Force will comprise of government, industry, academia, training providers and private sector Green Hydrogen projects. The Task Force’s core mandate is to develop a comprehensive Skills Development Strategy and Plan. As part of its skills development initiative, the Green Hydrogen Council, through the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, has awarded approximately 183 scholarships in green hydrogen-related fields. In addition, the Council has allocated €2 million to the //Karas and Hardap regions for vocational skills development. This strategic move aims to ensure that these two regions significantly benefit from the establishment and development of green hydrogen projects, such as Hyphen Hydrogen Energy.
Namibian youth are encouraged to prepare for the green hydrogen sector by pursuing relevant education, developing soft skills, and staying informed about industry developments. Taking these steps will position them to benefit from the employment and entrepreneurship opportunities the sector will provide. Ultimately, the green hydrogen industry offers a promising pathway for youth to contribute to Namibia’s sustainable economic growth.
Joseph Mukendwa is head of policy, planning, and strategy at Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme
