Chamwe Kaira
Despite progress in the partnership between the European Union (EU) and Namibia, officials say a €500 million (about N$10.7 billion) framework loan facility from the European Investment Bank (EIB) has not yet been rolled out, while more opportunities remain in rail and port development.
The update was shared during discussions at the recent Namibia-European Union Business Forum, where officials reviewed progress under the Namibia-EU Strategic Partnership roadmap for 2023 to 2025.
Officials said the partnership has already shown results in green hydrogen, critical raw materials, infrastructure development, and skills training, although several financing and policy measures are still being finalised.
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, supported by donor funding of €8.85 million (about N$189 million), is leading development efforts in the sector alongside a national task force for education, training and research.
The task force is preparing a national skills development strategy and plan.
A new Team Europe technical and vocational education and training programme is also being developed with the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and other partners.
A larger programme is expected to launch in 2027.
Research cooperation has also expanded through projects such as AfricaMaVal, PanAfGeo+ and Horizon Europe initiatives linked to mineral exploration technologies and Namibia’s critical raw materials sector.
Namibia has also started drafting a national policy on green hydrogen and derivatives.
Proposed laws and regulations are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The government and industry are also reviewing the fiscal framework for the green hydrogen sector, while support for a national critical raw materials strategy is expected to begin in June this year.
Several green hydrogen and mining projects have moved into investment pipelines supported by Team Europe initiatives.
These include HyIron, Hyphen, Zhero, Cleanergy and Daures, as well as mining investments involving Andrada and Northern Graphite.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has also completed a pre-feasibility study on beneficiation opportunities in the critical raw materials sector.
On the trade side, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) became operational earlier this year, while the EU hydrogen mechanism is expected to launch soon.
A second H2 Global auction is also underway.
Officials at the forum said securing long-term offtake agreements and additional market support remain a priority.
The partnership has also supported environmental, social and governance standards through three EU-funded grants worth €2.2 million (about N$47 million).
Studies and workshops linked to Namibia joining the extractive industries transparency initiative have also been completed.
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme continues to lead environmental and social assessments in several development corridors.
On financing and infrastructure, the SDG Namibia One Fund has become operational with support from the EU and the Netherlands.
The fund has already committed USD43.9 million (about N$807 million) to projects, with USD11.9 million (about N$219 million) already deployed to ventures including Hyphen, HyIron and Zhero.
Other initiatives include a EUR3.5 million (about N$75 million) EU GET. Transform partnership with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy on energy planning, as well as the launch of the EU Global Green Bond Initiative in April this year.
