EU launches skills drive to power Namibia’s N$420 billion Green Hydrogen boom
The EU is working with the Namibia Training Authority to align training programmes with labour market needs.
STAFF REPORTER
The European Union has launched a technical assistance project aimed at equipping Namibians with skills for the country’s expanding green hydrogen and renewable energy industries.
The initiative, titled Technical Assistance to Support the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) in Improving the TVET Offer Related to the Green Transition, was officially launched on Tuesday at the NTA Hall in Khomasdal.
The project forms part of the EU–Namibia Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials and Renewable Hydrogen, established in November 2022. Since then, Namibia has attracted over €20 billion (approximately N$420 billion) in green hydrogen investments.
Speaking at the launch, Ian Dupont, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Namibia, said the programme aims to strengthen vocational training systems to support green industrialisation.
The partnership has already seen the rollout of major projects, including Cleanergy, Daures, HyIron, Hyphen, Zhero, HDF, and Elof Hanssen. Cleanergy, Daures, and HyIron began production in 2025 after completing pilot phases. Hyphen and Zhero are expected to reach the final investment decision by 2026.
The HyIron Oshivela Project in Arandis, which produces direct reduced iron using green hydrogen, is the first of its kind globally. It employed 400 Namibian engineers and skilled workers during construction, with Phase 2 expected to create 1,000 additional jobs by 2026.
The EU is working with the Namibia Training Authority to align training programmes with labour market needs, avoid duplication, and support green skills development. A new energy-focused training hub will be established in the southern regions, following the model of the Northern Training Hub, which includes Nakayale, Eenhana, and Valombola Vocational Training Centres.
Namibia’s unemployment rate remains high, with youth unemployment at 46.1% and female unemployment at 48.5%. Dupont said skills development is essential to ensuring an inclusive and sustainable transition.
Team Europe, which includes the EU, its member states, and development finance institutions, has committed over €200 million (about N$4.2 billion) in grants to support Namibia’s green industrialisation.
The European Union has launched a technical assistance project aimed at equipping Namibians with skills for the country’s expanding green hydrogen and renewable energy industries.
The initiative, titled Technical Assistance to Support the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) in Improving the TVET Offer Related to the Green Transition, was officially launched on Tuesday at the NTA Hall in Khomasdal.
The project forms part of the EU–Namibia Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials and Renewable Hydrogen, established in November 2022. Since then, Namibia has attracted over €20 billion (approximately N$420 billion) in green hydrogen investments.
Speaking at the launch, Ian Dupont, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Namibia, said the programme aims to strengthen vocational training systems to support green industrialisation.
The partnership has already seen the rollout of major projects, including Cleanergy, Daures, HyIron, Hyphen, Zhero, HDF, and Elof Hanssen. Cleanergy, Daures, and HyIron began production in 2025 after completing pilot phases. Hyphen and Zhero are expected to reach the final investment decision by 2026.
The HyIron Oshivela Project in Arandis, which produces direct reduced iron using green hydrogen, is the first of its kind globally. It employed 400 Namibian engineers and skilled workers during construction, with Phase 2 expected to create 1,000 additional jobs by 2026.
The EU is working with the Namibia Training Authority to align training programmes with labour market needs, avoid duplication, and support green skills development. A new energy-focused training hub will be established in the southern regions, following the model of the Northern Training Hub, which includes Nakayale, Eenhana, and Valombola Vocational Training Centres.
Namibia’s unemployment rate remains high, with youth unemployment at 46.1% and female unemployment at 48.5%. Dupont said skills development is essential to ensuring an inclusive and sustainable transition.
Team Europe, which includes the EU, its member states, and development finance institutions, has committed over €200 million (about N$4.2 billion) in grants to support Namibia’s green industrialisation.
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