Pinehas K Pinehas

The African Global Hydrogen Summit, held last week at the Mövenpick Hotel in Windhoek, provided a platform for innovators and investors to explore opportunities within the rapidly expanding hydrogen sector. 

More than just an energy conversation, the summit showcased how different industries are converging to support and accelerate the development of hydrogen in Africa. 

From education to manufacturing, stakeholders demonstrated how their expertise and services are being integrated into this transformative sector.

One of the striking examples of cross-sector involvement came from the education field. 

This publication spoke to Gift Mubita, operational manager of Educational Technology Global, a company that develops interactive educational materials and learning simulations. 

She explained how the organisation uses technology to simplify complex processes for learners and students.

“We create interactive simulations, which help learners or students engage directly with the subject matter to ensure they fully understand it. For example, we have created a green hydrogen water distillation process so that learners can grasp what green hydrogen is all about,” Mubita said.

By developing such tools, the company is bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical understanding. 

This not only enriches the learning process but also equips future professionals with the skills and comprehension necessary to participate meaningfully in the hydrogen economy.

Another industry making its mark on the hydrogen sector is local clothing manufacturer Dinapama. 

The company supplies specialised safety garments to hydrogen industry players. 

Safety is a critical component in hydrogen operations. 

Dinapama has positioned itself as a responsive partner by tailoring protective wear to the specific needs of firms.

Hitji Kazondunge, a sales consultant at Dinapama, said “clients can come into the factory and choose the material that suits their needs. If they have specifications – say they work with chemicals – we source fabrics suitable for that environment. Beyond just functionality, we also customise garments to reflect corporate branding, incorporating colours and designs that bring the client’s vision to life”.

By providing tailored, industry-specific solutions, Dinapama highlights how local businesses can diversify their operations and add value to emerging industries like hydrogen.

The presence of businesses from different sectors – education, manufacturing and beyond – underscores the vast potential of the hydrogen industry to stimulate broader economic participation. 

It also demonstrates that hydrogen is not an isolated industry. 

Rather, it is an ecosystem drawing on expertise from multiple fields to ensure safety, efficiency and sustainability.

The involvement of innovators such as Educational Technology Global and Dinapama proves that the hydrogen sector has the capacity to create opportunities well beyond energy production. 

By merging industries into one collaborative framework, hydrogen is poised to play a key role in the future financial and economic emancipation of Namibia and Africa. 

– emancipation.ppinehas@nepc.com.na