ARANDIS – Namibia entered a new era of industrialisation after the inauguration of one of the world’s first industrial facilities dedicated to zero-emissions iron production on Friday.
It is the HyIron Oshivela Plant in Arandis, a cutting-edge facility producing green iron with zero emissions.
The N$600 million investment places Namibia at the forefront of sustainable industrial development, and positions the country as a strategic global partner in the green manufacturing revolution.
Presiding over the ceremony, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called the launch a moment of national pride and progress.
She said the N$600 million investment was a milestone achievement in Namibia’s industrial transformation.
“Today, 11 April 2025, as your fifth president, I stand before you with excitement to inaugurate this groundbreaking facility, which solidifies the unwavering commitment and a shared vision of the HyIron project,” she declared.
“As the world turns its gaze upon Namibia today, this project positions our country as a strategic partner in the production of iron, a vital material across the automotive, energy and manufacturing sectors,” she said.
The plant, completed in under 12 months, employed about 400 people during construction, and continues to provide jobs for both skilled and unskilled Namibians, with 90% of the staff being the youth.
Located in Erongo, the HyIron Oshivela Plant is among the first facilities in the world dedicated to zero-emission iron production.
Its establishment supports Namibia’s agenda of value-addition, resources’ beneficiation and green industrialisation, all key tenets of the Swapo Party election manifesto.
“This project not only contributes to the global fight against climate change, but underscores Namibia’s commitment to a carbon-free economy,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah, adding that local value-added production will generate six to eight times more economic value, compared to raw material exports.
The plant is a product of global collaboration, with components sourced from the European Union, USA, China, Japan and the UK.
“It reflects what can be achieved when visionary leadership, international cooperation and local talent come together,” the president said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah traced the origins of the project back to 2023, when she was still Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. “At the time, the concept of a plant that would produce green iron with zero emissions in Namibia sounded like another far-fetched dream,” she recalled.
By 2024, at the Windhoek Hydrogen Conference, the HyIron team presented her with the first sample of Namibian green iron. A year later, the dream has materialised, showcasing the nation’s potential to lead in sustainable industrial innovation.
Youth
The president lauded the role of young Namibians in constructing the plant, noting that 90% of the workforce during the first operational phase comprised the youth.
“These young Namibians have not merely built a factory; they have written a new chapter in our country’s industrial history,” she beamed.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored the government’s readiness to support investors. “Our objective is to create a conducive environment for investment for both local and foreign investors,” she said, calling on other potential investors to emulate HyIron’s approach.
“Namibia not only possesses raw materials and renewable energy, but importantly, it has the required human capital, the political will, and a deep commitment to global sustainability goals.”
Transformation
More than just an industrial development, the HyIron Oshivela Plant is the cornerstone in Namibia’s long-term strategy for value-addition, beneficiation of natural resources and economic diversification.
“This project not only contributes to the global fight against climate change, but also underscores Namibia’s commitment to a carbon-free economy. More importantly, this signals the building of an industrial base that is truly Namibian, rooted in sustainability, empowered by our youth, and guided by our national principles of good governance and equity,” continued the president.
Strategy
Minister of Mines, Energy and Industrialisation Natangwe Iithete also delivered remarks at the event, outlining how the project fits into Namibia’s evolving industrial strategy in the face of changing global trade trends.
“Our approach focuses on building sustainable industrial clusters that not only reduce emissions, but also respond to new global trade trends, where carbon-heavy products are increasingly dictated or restricted,” he stated.
“Clean energy is now becoming a key advantage. Countries around the world are beginning to favour goods made with renewable energy. By producing such goods, Namibia can stay ahead of international regulations and gain competitiveness at the global level,” he added.
“The HyIron Oshivela project is a perfect example of our strategy in action. It represents a new wave of industrial development, where businesses are investing in Namibia to take advantage of our abundant clean energy resources”, Iithete said.