Namibia’s plans to build a green hydrogen industry are gaining momentum, with new partnerships aimed at turning strategy into jobs and business opportunities.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Enertrag and GIZ to support Namibian suppliers in the green hydrogen value chain through the Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme held a signing ceremony yesterday in Windhoek.
The partnership aims to strengthen Namibian suppliers’ capacity and participation in the green hydrogen value chain.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy CEO Marco Raffinetti pointed to South Africa’s large industrial hubs as examples of what can be achieved.
He said projects like Secunda show the scale of operations possible, but stressed that the real prize lies in the network of suppliers and support industries behind them.
“That ecosystem is often bigger than the project itself,” he said.
He added that Namibia has an opportunity to develop new industries alongside hydrogen production.
He welcomed international backing, including support linked to Germany, as key to moving forward.
Country director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Tobias Gerster said Germany has been involved in Namibia’s development for decades.
He said cooperation has covered sectors such as agriculture, education and energy, and is now increasingly focused on climate and the green transition.
He said the relationship is evolving into one based on shared economic interests.
“At talks held in Lüderitz in November 2025, more than €40 million (approximately N$770 million) was committed to projects in Namibia.
The European Union remains the country’s largest trading partner, with Namibia exporting a range of goods into its markets,” he said.
Gerster said programmes linked to hydrogen are meant to help projects move from early planning stages to implementation, while creating space for local businesses to take part.
He said partnerships between the public and private sectors are key, especially in building local supply chains and increasing the share of processed exports.
“It must translate into real benefits for ordinary people,” he said. National Planning Commission’s executive director I-Ben Natangwe said, from a national planning perspective, green hydrogen is seen as central to economic change.
He said the sector spans energy, water, infrastructure and skills development, and requires close coordination.
He stated that the goal is not only to export hydrogen, but to build industries at home, create jobs and broaden the economy.
“The Hyphen project is expected to play a leading role by creating opportunities for Namibian businesses. A key focus is helping local companies meet industry standards so they can compete for contracts,” he said.
“This approach is important if Namibia wants to add more value to its resources instead of exporting them in raw form,” he stated.
He said the success of the hydrogen sector will be measured by whether it delivers jobs, growth and real improvements in people’s lives.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na
