The inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit, which commences in the capital today, is expected to serve as a critical platform that will focus on the role Africa
expects to play in the rapidly-emerging global hydrogen sector. Ministerial delegations and trade missions from Algeria, Angola, Belgium, Burundi, Congo, Egypt, EU, Germany, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda have arrived in Windhoek ahead of the summit.
The summit is scheduled to take place until Thursday at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek, and is assured to feature a world-class strategic conference with more than 120 expert industry speakers from Namibia, Africa and around the globe.
It aims to facilitate collaboration and foster partnerships between African nations and international stakeholders, as well as advance dialogue across policy, investment and the emerging hydrogen value chain.
Hosted under the patronage of the Namibian government, guest of honour Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is anticipated to lead the official opening ceremony. The summit has been endorsed by the mines and energy ministry. In this regard, mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo is scheduled to be joined by a lineup of peers and government officials at the forefront of Africa’s green industrial revolution.
Notable government dignitaries
that have confirmed participation include Doto Mashaka Biteko (MP), deputy prime minister of Tanzania, Michael Kellner, Parliamentary state secretary from Germany, Kadri Simson, European commissioner for energy at the European Union, Tinne van der Straeten, minister of energy from Belgium, Mahmoud Esmat, minister of electricity & renewable energy from Egypt and Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Nigeria’s environment minister.
At the summit, an international exhibition will host five country pavilions, including Belgium, EU, Germany, Netherlands and Namibia. These pavilions will showcase industry leaders, including BESIX, Fluxys, HDF Energy, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Nel Hydrogen, Siemens, ThyssenKrupp and Vopak. The international exhibition also spotlights an innovation zone that will feature a duel-streamed technical seminar, and a dedicated youth programme agenda.
In addition, privately-conducted project investment roundtables will be hosted where more than 30 bankable green energy projects from across Africa will be presented to investors. These roundtables aim to fast-track project progress toward financial closure.
The summit is supported by its strategic partner, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and is sponsored by its official partners. Fortescue, GreenGo Energy, GIZ, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, International Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), Neway Valve, RMB, Air Products, ENS Africa, KSB, NamH2 Fund Managers, Neuman & Esser and Zhero.
Key supporting partners include Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, African Hydrogen Practice, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, Namibia Youth Energy Forum, Ninety One, and the Women in Green Hydrogen.