Namibia’s energy transition and national skills development agenda has received a major boost as Germany committed Euro 43.8 million (about N$876 million) to new projects. 

The funding agreement was concluded on Thursday during intergovernmental negotiations held in Lüderitz, where the two governments reaffirmed what they described as “a successful and long-standing development cooperation”. 

According to a joint statement issued by the German Embassy and the National Planning Commission (NPC) on Friday, the new commitment will support four key areas: renewable energy expansion, technical and vocational training (TVET), sustainable urban development, and natural resource management. These sectors form part of Namibia’s priorities outlined in the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). 

Germany’s support comes as Namibia pushes to increase electricity access from 59% to 70% by 2030, with the ultimate aim of universal access by 2040. The statement emphasised that Germany will assist Namibia in expanding power infrastructure and strengthening planning and technical capacities. “Germany will contribute to improving energy access, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas, and to further developing the renewable energy sector,” the statement said. 

The funding will also bolster the TVET sector, which the Namibian government considers central to preparing young people for opportunities in the growing green economy. Germany’s support will focus on improving training quality, labour-market alignment, work-integrated learning, and the inclusion of marginalised groups. 

“This cooperation aligns with Namibia’s TVET reform agenda and builds on governance reforms and training of trainers already underway,” the statement said. Additionally, Germany committed to continued support for natural resource management, including national parks and community conservancies, as well as sustainable urban upgrading in informal settlements. 

The statement highlighted that 2025 marks 35 years of development cooperation between Namibia and Germany, during which Germany has invested more than Euro 1.6 billion (about N$32 billion) since Namibia’s independence. 

It added that the current portfolio includes around 60 active projects implemented through the German Development Bank, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources. 

Both par ties expressed confidence that the new funding package will accelerate Namibia’s transition to clean energy, strengthen technical skills, and support inclusive development across communities. -Nampa