As Namibia positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s green energy revolution, the rise of GreenHydrogen is not only fueling clean energy ambitions, but creating jobs and unlocking opportunities for Namibian youth.
Among those leading the charge is Aina Kauluma, a 27-year-old renewable energy analyst at Daures Green Hydrogen Village, and one of the first recipients of the Namibia Youth for Green Hydrogen (Y4GH2) Scholarship. As part of the scholarship, she completed a six-month research placement at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER) in Germany.
There, she worked alongside global experts on cutting-edge hydrogen systems, ultimately co-authoring a research paper linked to her master’s thesis.
Born and raised in the diamond-mining town of Orandjemund bordering the Namib Desert, Kauluma said the stark contrast between industrial development and untouched natural landscapes sparked her early fascination with sustainable progress.
“Growing up where nature and industry co-exist made me deeply curious about how science can help us move forward without destroying the environment,” she said.
Kauluma’s academic path began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics, followed by an Honours degree in Applied Physics from the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
Her growing interest in climate solutions led her to pursue a Master of Science in Renewable Energy at the University of Namibia, specialising in green hydrogen, a clean energy source created using renewable power to split water molecules.
“The collaboration in Stuttgart was transformative. It showed me how international partnerships can accelerate innovation. Namibia has all the right ingredients: sun, wind and space. With the right skills and collaboration, we can be a leader in green hydrogen,” she said.
Namibia has positioned itself as a future hub for green hydrogen production, aiming to leverage its vast renewable resources and attract global investment.
The government’s Green Hydrogen strategy is expected to generate thousands of jobs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“I want to be part of building an energy future that is not only green, but inclusive – one where young Namibians see themselves as scientists, engineers and leaders,” Kauluma revealed.
She told Youth Corner that as a young woman in a male-dominated field, she has had to confront “impostor syndrome” head-on. There are moments where she questions whether she belongs in spaces where her voice is one of the few that looks and sounds like hers.
Kauluma reminds herself daily that “my perspective is not just valuable, but essential for diversifying the renewable energy sector”. Another challenge is the knowledge gap in Namibia’s emerging green hydrogen industry. The field is so new that even professionals are still learning.
As a teenager, she felt a responsibility to protect the environment.
However, it was during her undergraduate studies that a class on energy and the environment crystallised her purpose.
She realised that renewable energy was not just a career path, but a calling.
“Today, I’m driven by the belief that we owe it to future generations to leave a world that’s not just habitable, but thriving. Namibia, with its abundant sunlight and vast landscapes, is uniquely positioned to become a green hydrogen powerhouse.
“By contributing to this industry, I’m not only shaping my own future, but also helping my country step onto the global stage as a leader in clean energy. Every small breakthrough, whether in research, policy or community education, feels like a step toward a legacy of resilience and hope as we go. To bridge this, I immerse myself in the latest research, attend conferences and workshops, as well as take short courses to upskill,” Kauluma enthused.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na