Martin Endjala
Tom Alweendo, the minister of mines and energy, said continuous investment in the country’s green hydrogen projects strongly contradicts the belief that the development of a synthetic fuel industry in Namibia is merely a pipe dream.
Alweendo made these remarks on Wednesday at the Global African Hydrogen Summit, where Team Europe signed an agreement to contribute N$730 million to advance Namibia’s green industrialisation agenda.
“Some people think we are going too slow, but we are also trying to go systematically to ensure we achieve what we need to be achieving,” Alweendo said.
He said that the country reaches significant milestones each year in advancing its green industrialisation agenda.
“There are still people who think this is just a pipe dream, which will not happen in some years. But I think all these milestones that we are achieving every year… I hope more people are convinced that we are getting somewhere. This is real,” he added.
Alweendo explained that the funds will help Namibia progress with its green industrialisation strategy. While the country has abundant resources, it lacks financial capacity, which is why the partnership with Team Europe is essential.
According to him, the funding mechanism would support reforms in legislation and improve the country’s policy actions, but it will also be directed toward building the necessary infrastructure to bring the green hydrogen project to life.
“It is very satisfying to see that we are addressing all the pieces that we have set in this program to make sure that one day, not too far in the future, we can say, yes, Namibia has made it,” he said.
The European Union Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, affirmed that the funds reflect the EU’s commitment under the Global Gateway Strategy and Team Europe’s support for Namibia in achieving the late President Hage Geingob’s vision of becoming a global hub for green hydrogen production and a leader in the global decarbonisation effort.
She highlighted that these initiatives mark key milestones in implementing the strategic partnership on green hydrogen and critical raw mineral value chains, signed in 2022.
“They will reinforce our commercial relations in the green hydrogen and critical raw materials sectors, increase employment opportunities in Namibia, and help both Namibia and the EU undergo their green transitions,” Simson said.
She said the significance of Namibia’s collaboration with European partners in advancing sustainable energy, accelerating the green transition, and creating quality jobs for Namibians in these sectors.
German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth noted Namibia’s significant potential to lead Africa’s renewable energy transition.
“We are honoured to support this vision through the EU-GET.transform initiative.” We are committed to supporting Namibia in its own energy transition and helping it play a significant role in the rapidly growing global green hydrogen market,” Flasbarth said.
He said green hydrogen will play a critical role in the global economy’s green and sustainable decarbonisation.
James Mnyupe, Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Commissioner, said the support from EU partners will drive the development of Namibia’s green hydrogen industry and contribute to broader goals of economic diversification, green industrialisation, and creating sustainable jobs for the country’s youth and beyond.
