Industry players insist hydrogen projects on solid ground

Amid concerns about the government’s apparent waning political support for Namibia’s green hydrogen sector, industry players say progress continues, with ongoing efforts to attract investment and advance projects aligned with the country’s green industrialisation ambitions.The resignation of James Mnyupe as head of Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Programme, coupled with the expiry of the Green Hydrogen Council’s mandate last year, has fuelled speculation that the administration of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is less enthusiastic about the sector.The council, led by former energy minister Obeth Kandjoze, was not retained after its mandate ended, raising questions about the future of Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions, including job creation, energy security, and industrialisation targets.However, industry players insist that confidence in Namibia’s governance framework remains intact.Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s Head of Environment, Social and Governance, Toni Beukes, said the company has no concerns about governance or political backing.“You mentioned governance, so we don’t have any concerns about the service of the two, right? So that’s how we view it. Namibia has a similar view,” Beukes said.She said Namibia’s green industrialisation roadmap remains central, positioning Hyphen as a catalyst project within the Southern Corridor Development Initiative.“First of all, the Namibian green hydrogen strategy talks about Hyphen as the first sort of catalyst project in the first green hydrogen valley, which is the Southern Corridor Development Initiative,” she said.Beukes said Namibia’s limited domestic demand requires an export-driven model, while pilot projects help stimulate local markets.“So, how do you use your natural resources for export? Because we don’t have enough of a domestic market, but at the same time, you’re trying to stimulate the domestic market through the pilot project,” she said.She added that opportunities span the value chain, including ammonia, fertiliser, maritime fuel, and synthetic aviation fuels."Hyphen is export-focused because we want to show the world that you can produce green hydrogen and derivatives at scale. We produce hydrogen, combine it with nitrogen to produce ammonia, and then we export that,” she said.Beukes also pointed to the government's direct participation in the project. “So when we say that we are not reflected in the strategy, that’s not true, because we produce, we are the catalyst project for Namibia. We’re also the only project that has government participation in the project with a 24% equity,” she said.She said Namibia’s policy framework continues to reflect political backing. “So we are the only project that is referred to. If you want a political signal, we are in the implementation plan. Then we have government equity, and then we have signed an agreement with the government,” she said.Beukes said international partnerships and financing arrangements also support the sector.“So there is a lot happening in the background… all of that should tell you that we are not concerned about political support, because it is there,” she said.She acknowledged that government restructuring has slowed momentum but described it as temporary.“So naturally there is a bit of a slowdown in movement, but certainly not at a worrying level or at a level where we are not enjoying support from our ministries,” Beukes said.HyIron chief executive and co-founder Johannes Michels said the company continues to receive government backing as it advances its projects.“But this is not an easy task, and being the first in many of the technologies and solutions also brings a lot of headwinds."However, we are meeting our goals of employment creation and plan to realise our Phase two expansion of the Oshivela plant at the beginning of next year. Much of it is in our hands, and our entire team is fighting very hard to make it come true,” he said.The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the sector. Industries, Mines and Energy minister Modestus Amutse said Namibia continues to pursue green hydrogen and ammonia projects as part of its energy mix and industrialisation strategy, citing initiatives such as Hyphen, HyIron Oshivela, Daures Green Hydrogen Village and Cleanergy Solutions.He said projects such as Oshivela and Cleanergy have already demonstrated early industrial application, while others are advancing in green ammonia and low-carbon fertiliser production.Namibia has secured access to up to US$250 million under the Climate Investment Fund’s Industry Decarbonisation Programme to support green industrialisation.For the 2026/27 financial year, planned activities include feasibility studies on industrialisation opportunities, research on rail infrastructure, socio-economic baseline studies and the development of a local content framework for SMEs.Speaking at the official opening of HyIron's Oshivela plant last year, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to investment.“For us in government, our objective is to create a conducive environment for investment for both local and foreign investors. Therefore, I call upon other investors to follow and emulate the exemplary path of HyIron. Our country’s competitive advantages in terms of investment are there for every investor to see. Namibia’s continuous pledge to peace, political stability, and adherence to the rule of law, is a prerequisite for investment, provided that investors respect our clarion call for local beneficiation,” she said.Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme communications manager Jona Musheko said global demand remains a key factor shaping the sector.“It’s not a fast moving demand, it has been that slow. But there are countries that are committed to fully incorporating renewables in the energy sector, China, Europe, Asia (Korea and Japan),” he said.Mnyupe, speaking on Network Television’s Evening Review, said industrialisation remains central to Namibia’s long-term economic goals.“What do I mean by that? Vision 2030 says that by 2030, 42% of our economic output needs to come from the secondary sector, which is largely manufacturing- or industry-based."Today, we are at 15%. So we need to increase it almost three times. Now, that's a target that the government set. And our citizens have accepted it because we keep on electing the same government,” he said.“So we need to build industrial capacity. All of those big companies in the sector were not just formed by private sector players that went from research and development to commercialisation. There was a lot of government backing, not just with money, but even with policy,” he said.

Industry players insist hydrogen projects on solid ground

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-19

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Industry players insist hydrogen projects on solid ground

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-19

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