Namibia Green Hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe said the country’s green hydrogen sector had attracted more transformative projects investment, with approximately N$2.08 billion already committed across various projects.
Importantly, over 800 Namibians have been employed across pilot and early-stage initiatives.
In addition, close to N$170 million has been channelled to local SMEs, demonstrating early traction in value chain localisation and inclusive growth.
Mnyupe was speaking at the launch of the Global African Hydrogen Summit on Monday in Windhoek.
The summit was launched under the theme ‘Ambition in Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution’.
The summit is set to take place from 9 to 11 September.
Last year, Namibia hosted the inaugural summit, which attracted an impressive representation of stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
“In partnership with the finance ministry, the NGH2P has secured access to the Climate Investment Fund’s Industry Decarbonisation Programme (CIF-IDP), a concessional finance facility with an average interest rate of 1% in USD for eligible public and private projects. The programme, together with the ministry, is currently developing a detailed investment plan, aligned with the priorities of the upcoming National Development Plan 6. This plan will outline the pipeline of projects to be supported through the CIF-IDP and other blended finance structures,” Mnyupe said.
Data from DMG Events state that the 2024 summit brought together approximately 1 500 attendees, nearly 500 registered delegates and over 20 ministers and deputy ministers from across the world.
DMG’s senior vice president of energy Damian Howard said, SMEs and start-ups will be included at the summit.
“We invite all developers in green hydrogen and agriculture to submit their projects. Last year, we received over 50 projects, which were all from starters,” Mnyupe stated.
The executive of talent, innovation and productivity at NIPDB Julia Muetudha said they facilitated 30 investment roundtables, hosted 75 global exhibitors and secured nine agreements and investment partnerships.
“We generated more than US$3.5 million in direct economic impact,” she stated.
However, more than that, they positioned Namibia as a hub of action – not just ambition.
“This year’s summit will be more inclusive and ambitious. We have taken deliberate steps to bring in more youth voices, local SMEs, academic and community stakeholders as well as continental partners. We are expanding the innovation zone, enhancing support for Namibian and African exhibitors as well as strengthening regional cooperation platforms. A just energy transition cannot be driven by a few. It must be co-created by many,” she said.
Muetudha added that they remain committed to ensuring that green hydrogen is more than a headline but a vehicle for inclusive growth, industrial development and Africa’s long-overdue emergence as a manufacturing and energy powerhouse.