The administrator of the National Energy Administration of China, Zhang Jinhua, paid a courtesy call to President Hage Geingob on Friday to strengthen cooperation in the area of energy.
During the visit, Jinhua made it clear that China is well prepared to assist Namibia in its new proposed engine of growth, specifically the development of green hydrogen. He also urged Chinese businesses with the necessary requirements to investment in Namibia.
“We would like to join hands with our Namibian counterparts to maintain the good momentum of our existing projects cooperation. At the same time we encourage Chinese companies that are capable and experienced to come to Namibia and explore the possibilities of cooperation in areas that are of Namibia’s top interest such as green hydrogen, and oil and gas so that we can assist Namibia to achieve its objectives,” said
Jinhua, speaking through a translator.
Jinhua stated Chinese companies have invested about U$4.6 billion in the development of the Husab and Rossing uranium mines in Namibia. These entities, he added, have contributed an accumulated U$2.1 billion to Namibia’s national economy.
He also called for a need to strengthen new cooperations in budding areas of green hydrogen, oil, and uranium among others. He further called experts from Namibia to visit China to gain more knowledge on the industrial environments around these sectors.
Meanwhile, President Geingob urged both governments to consult and not spoil the good relations the two already have.
“Our relations are underpinned by a long-time friendship and solidarity we have been receiving from the People’s Republic of China. Our relationships lie from political to economic levels. I am happy we are talking about green hydrogen, of which we have opened doors for investors,” said Geingob.
The President then urged the visiting delegation to ensure the creation of win-win situations.
At the same meeting, director general of the National Planning Commission Obeth Kandjoze said Namibia is surely set to achieve its new engine of growth. He added that the Namibia Green Hydrogen Council is at an advanced stage, which will establish policy frameworks in order to promote the green hydrogen sector to the world.
Also weighing in, Namibia’s green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe noted there is fertile ground for the two nations to learn from each other in this arena. Namibia’s green hydrogen juggernaut, touted as a new engine of growth and an answer to regional energy challenges, moved another step closer to fruition after the country launched its four pilot projects last week.
This sets Namibia on route to achieving large-scale, low-cost renewable energy development, designing models for sustainably, maximising fiscal revenue and local development in renewable energy investments, including green ammonia production.
Mnyupe said Namibia plans to develop three hydrogen valleys in the Erongo, //Kharas and Kunene regions.
Since the Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2015, China has completed over 20 grant projects in Namibia. This figure was confirmed in 2021 by Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming, at the signing of the Economic and Technical Cooperation Grant Agreement with Namibia.
Among these projects are the construction of the Hosea Kutako International Airport expressway, currently being implemented, which is a key venture aimed at reinvigorating post-epidemic tourism and revitalising the domestic economy by improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing the function of the airport hub.
Friday’s meeting concluded with the People’s Republic of China pledging to avail much-needed experience and technology for Namibia to embrace its green hydrogen ambitions.