As the world moves towards sustainable energy solutions, Namibia stands at the forefront of the green hydrogen revolution, with vast renewable resources and strategic vision, fuelling the country’s ambitions of becoming the sustainable energy capital of Africa.

 The inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S), scheduled for 3 to 5 September 2024 in Windhoek at Mercure Hotel, is expected to serve as a pivotal platform for discussing the future of hydrogen energy in Africa. 

The summit is organised by DMG events, with local partners Vasco Da Gama Energy and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) as the strategic partner.

Held under the theme “From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution”, the summit will focus on the role Africa will play in the global hydrogen economy. With heads of government, ministers, policy- makers, developers, investors, technologists, industrialists and off-takers converging in Windhoek, the event is billed to be an opportune platform to host collaborative discussions to influence policy directives, facilitate public-private dialogue, table real-world solutions, accelerate project financing, and broker deal closure.

The inaugural summit will be headlined by Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Other dignitaries expected to attend include Kadri Simson, European energy commissioner; Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Angolan minister of mineral resources, petroleum and gas; and Tinne van der Straeten, Belgian energy minister, among others. 

So far, 10 ministerial delegations have confirmed participation, while more than 700 delegates from over 65 countries across the world are expected to converge in Windhoek for the summit.

NIPDB recently announced key sponsorships received from private and public sector entities towards hosting a Namibia pavilion at the event.

Speaking at a media briefing in Windhoek recently, the NIPDB’s executive director for strategy and branding Margareth Gustavo said the attainment of Namibia’s bold ambitions of becoming the sustainable energy capital of Africa will require collaboration not only between Namibian entities, but also with other countries for among others offtake, technical expertise or the skills required to develop the green hydrogen industry.

“As an organisation, collaboration is at the core of our operations, particularly when it comes to our mandate of improving the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination, and essentially ensuring that Namibia always puts her best foot forward. The support we have received for Namibia’s participation at the Global African Hydrogen Summit is a testament to what we can collectively achieve when we collaborate and work together towards a common goal”, she said.

As one of the sponsors for the summit, Capricorn Group’s brand executive Marlize Horn said: “Namibia has vast resources and we are proud to be part of this process where we can showcase the potential that Namibia has and to bring together the government and private sector. So, it is a shared responsibility for us to actively participate and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy for future generations,” she said.

Carol-Lee Platt, corporate secretary at another sponsor, the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, added: “At the heart of EIF, we are all about investing and promoting programmes that ensure not just the sustainable development of Namibia, but building the livelihoods and economic development of Namibia. We are looking forward to building partnerships, and investing in and promoting this energy transition for Namibia.”