Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new Green Industries Council to replace the Green Hydrogen Council, whose term ended in February this year.
Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus announced the decision during a Cabinet briefing on Monday.
She said the decision was made during the 12th and 13th Cabinet meetings held on 28 April and 6 May under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“The new Green Industries Council will oversee and guide Namibia’s broader green industrialisation agenda, with focus on policy coordination, institutional alignment and investment priorities aimed at accelerating industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation,” Theofelus said.
The new council replaces the Green Hydrogen Council, which was established to guide the country’s green hydrogen ambitions and attract investment into the sector.
The previous council was involved in coordinating government plans and partnerships linked to green hydrogen projects, particularly in the south of the country, where large renewable energy projects are planned.
The government has now widened the focus from green hydrogen alone to broader green industries. The new council is expected to guide investment and development in sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, green mining and value addition.
The council will be chaired by the director general of the National Planning Commission.
Members will include representatives from the ministries of finance, industries, mines and energy, agriculture, environment, international relations and trade, as well as urban and rural development.
Namibia has attracted international interest in recent years because of its potential to produce green hydrogen using solar and wind energy.
The government says the expansion into green industries is part of efforts to grow the economy, attract investment and create jobs.