The green hydrogen project of Namibia comprises various exceptional individuals with impressive credentials. 

Theopolina Kapani makes up part of the team as head of technical construction at the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme. 

Born and raised in Dordabis, a small town on the outskirts of Windhoek, she has excelled in one of the world’s leading emerging sectors. 

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences.

 She has also earned an MSc in Management and Engineering in Risk Management of Industrial Facilities from FH Aachen University; an MSc in Economics, Finance and Management from the University of Bristol, and a PhD in Sustainable Infrastructure Investment and Finance from Swansea University. 

After gaining valuable experience in Europe, she returned to Namibia to contribute her expertise in the green hydrogen sector. 

Much of her career has been in the oil and gas industry, where she worked on refineries for BP and Shell, as well as with Worley, an engineering consulting firm. 

She also worked at Huawei in the information and communication technology infrastructure space, where she leads several major projects. 

Her transition into the green hydrogen field was inspired by her work in Europe, particularly in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

 There, she worked on a 200-megawatt Shell electrolyser plant, which involved the design and layout of electrolyser stacks. 

It was during this time that she first encountered the concept of green hydrogen. 

Initially, she conducted research out of curiosity, and found the field fascinating. 

Her doctoral research, which focused on energy infrastructure, seamlessly aligned with her work in the green hydrogen sector. 

“I’m very passionate about clean energy, and feel fortunate to have found my way into the green hydrogen ecosystem,” she shared. 

Despite the challenges typically associated with gender bias in the workplace, she has not experienced such issues in her field. 

She acknowledged that there are unique challenges within the sector, such as a general lack of awareness and knowledge. 

However, she praised the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme for its gender equality. 

“In our office, we have eight executives, five of whom are female, which shows how liberal and welcoming our sector is to women. I encourage women to take up space in the green hydrogen industry because it offers equal treatment. As long as you have the capacity, opportunities will be available for you to seize,” she emphasised.

She added that she has not faced any challenges that are unique to women, as the industry treats everyone equally. 

Kapani’s aspirations for Namibia’s green hydrogen sector are high. 

“I’m here to serve my country, and to do my best to ensure that the green hydrogen industry and the broader green industrialisation blueprint are fully implemented. We are committed to working tirelessly to see this agenda materialise. One of my greatest hopes is to see Namibia become self-sufficient across all sectors: primary, secondary and tertiary. That’s the Namibia I hope to see,” she shared.

She emphasised the importance of national involvement in the sector’s growth. 

“We want everyone to be engaged, especially the youth. Reach out to us. Tell us how we can involve you, and how best we can work together,” Kapani encouraged. 

She highlighted the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme’s efforts to actively engage the public. 

“We are reaching out to various entities and individuals to explain the key opportunities within the green value chain that they can take advantage of,” she said. 

She urges the youth who are keen on joining the green hydrogen sector to be proactive, and look for the opportunities that exist in the sector.

 “Be proactive. Don’t wait for people to come to you and dish out to you. Be proactive, knock on doors, come out, reach out to us and entities, and see how best you can contribute, and where you can add,” she encouraged. 

Overall, she stressed the need for unity. 

“This is a new industry which is going to take a collective effort from everyone, so let’s see best how everyone can get involved, and how we can drive the sector forward,” she remarked.