Namibia hosts regional green investment dialogue
Towards a greener future
The event was hosted under the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance project, which is designed to support legislators in 15 African countries, including Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, in their efforts to mobilise climate finance in renewable energy and green industry.
Namibia played host to the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue, which brought together members of parliament from Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia, alongside climate finance experts, investors and guarantors.
The dialogue kicked off on Friday and concluded on Sunday in Walvis Bay.
The three-day event was organised by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Climate Parliament, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). It forms part of the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance project, which supports legislators in 15 African countries to mobilise climate finance for renewable energy and green industry development.
Speaking at the official opening, deputy prime minister and mines and energy minister Natangwe Ithete reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to green growth as outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan 6.
“Just two days ago, we signed an agreement to become members of the Global Biofuels Alliance, further demonstrating our commitment to reducing net carbon emissions,” he said.
“Guided by our frameworks, we have positioned climate action and green investment not as side pursuits but as a central part of our national development agenda.”
Ithete described Namibia as a “continental pioneer” in green hydrogen development, citing major projects underway in the Tsau //Khaeb National Park. “These projects are designed to harness our world-class solar and wind resources to produce hydrogen for domestic use and global export,” he said.
Renewable energy boost
He also noted the country’s progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity. “Namibia has doubled its installed renewable energy capacity over the past five years,” he said, referencing the 30 MW Omburu Solar Plant and upcoming rural electrification projects.
Calling on lawmakers, Ithete emphasised the importance of creating a supportive legislative environment: “This includes ensuring that the benefits of green investment – jobs, skills, infrastructure and environmental protection – reach all Namibians, especially youth, women and rural communities.”
As part of the programme, MPs visited the HyIron Oshivela and Cleanergy Solutions Namibia facilities, both seen as flagship projects in Namibia’s green hydrogen and clean energy transition.
The dialogue kicked off on Friday and concluded on Sunday in Walvis Bay.
The three-day event was organised by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Climate Parliament, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). It forms part of the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance project, which supports legislators in 15 African countries to mobilise climate finance for renewable energy and green industry development.
Speaking at the official opening, deputy prime minister and mines and energy minister Natangwe Ithete reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to green growth as outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan 6.
“Just two days ago, we signed an agreement to become members of the Global Biofuels Alliance, further demonstrating our commitment to reducing net carbon emissions,” he said.
“Guided by our frameworks, we have positioned climate action and green investment not as side pursuits but as a central part of our national development agenda.”
Ithete described Namibia as a “continental pioneer” in green hydrogen development, citing major projects underway in the Tsau //Khaeb National Park. “These projects are designed to harness our world-class solar and wind resources to produce hydrogen for domestic use and global export,” he said.
Renewable energy boost
He also noted the country’s progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity. “Namibia has doubled its installed renewable energy capacity over the past five years,” he said, referencing the 30 MW Omburu Solar Plant and upcoming rural electrification projects.
Calling on lawmakers, Ithete emphasised the importance of creating a supportive legislative environment: “This includes ensuring that the benefits of green investment – jobs, skills, infrastructure and environmental protection – reach all Namibians, especially youth, women and rural communities.”
As part of the programme, MPs visited the HyIron Oshivela and Cleanergy Solutions Namibia facilities, both seen as flagship projects in Namibia’s green hydrogen and clean energy transition.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article