Grant Muller of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Association and Eduardo Rodriguez of the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association co-chaired the Energy, Oil, Gas and Green Hydrogen Working Group said Namibia is on the brink of an economic transformation that could redefine its future. Massive projects in green hydrogen, oil and gas, and renewable energy are set to turn the country into one of Africa’s leading industrial and energy hubs by 2030 they said this at the Namibia Public- Private Forum held in Windhoek last year.
The ambitious plans which form part of the government’s National Development Plan 6 (NDP6) and the Swapo Manifesto Implementation Plan are both aimed at accelerating job creation, strengthening industries, and achieving long-term economic growth. Officials say the different sectors from Green Hydrogen to Nuclear and Renewables will work hand in hand, complementing each other rather than competing.
Muller and Rodriguez , highlighted how green hydrogen, oil and gas, and renewable energy could collectively unlock billions of dollars in investment and create thousands of jobs by 2030.
Muller and Rodriguez emphasised that these energy sectors are not in competition, but are meant to work together to advance Namibia’s National Development Plan 6 (NDP6) and the Swapo Manifesto Implementation Plan. Both presenters described the initiative as a transformative catalyst that would reshape Namibia’s economy and industrial base over the next decade.
“Namibia stands at the dawn of a new industrial era. We are moving beyond potential and into execution. Our focus is not only on government funding, but also on enabling the right environment for investment – a stable, predictable, and transparent framework that gives confidence to global financiers,” they said.
According to the presentation, Namibia’s energy transition could contribute significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Green Hydrogen sector alone is projected to inject US$2 billion per year into the economy once fully operational by 2030. The projects include the production of 2 million tonnes of green ammonia and 2 million tonnes of direct reduced iron (DRI) annually. The sector is also expected to create about 30 000 direct jobs, with thousands more arising through supply chains and service industries.
In the Oil and Gas sector, the outlook is equally promising. Namibia aims to produce around 150 000 barrels of oil per day and 140 million standard cubic feet of gas daily by 2030. Rodriguez noted that this could add between 6.8% and 25% to Namibia’s GDP, depending on the scale of production, and generate up to 45 000 new jobs.
“Oil and gas are not just about exports. They are about industrialisation, skills development, and empowering Namibians to be part of the value chain. But to get there, we must ensure a flexible local content policy, efficient licensing, and investor protection through strong legal frameworks,” they said.
The Renewable Energy and Biomass sectors will also play a vital role. Namibia plans to expand its renewable power capacity to 400 megawatts by 2030, supporting hundreds of new jobs and contributing to cleaner and more affordable energy production.
However, both speakers cautioned that the success of these initiatives depends on swift government action to address regulatory and logistical bottlenecks. They recommended the establishment of an inter-ministerial task force to fast-track project approvals and the ratification of international arbitration conventions to strengthen investor confidence.
“Namibia can no longer afford slow decision-making. We have the vision, we have the resources, and we have the global attention. Now is the time to act decisively and make Namibia a regional leader in energy and industrial development,” they said.
They further said that if implemented effectively, the strategy could help Namibia reach its national targets of 75% employment and over 7% annual GDP growth by 2030.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na