STAFF WRITER
ǁKharas regional governor Goab Gertze has called for extensive stakeholder consultation on planned green hydrogen projects, saying development initiatives should improve lives, respect cultural heritage and ensure local communities are involved in decision-making processes.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement programme in Lüderitz on Monday, Gertze said development should not be imposed on communities without meaningful engagement.
“We do not want development that arrives in the region as a finished idea, with communities only informed at the end,” he said.
“We want development that listens, consults and respects both national ambition and local realities. We want development that protects the environment, respects cultural heritage, creates opportunities for local people and leaves behind lasting value in the region.”
His remarks come amid growing calls from traditional authorities in southern Namibia for broader consultations to balance the economic opportunities presented by green hydrogen projects with the protection of cultural beliefs, heritage sites and ancestral land.
The stakeholder engagement programme forms part of consultations aimed at gathering input on Namibia’s decarbonisation agenda and green industrialisation plans.
Namibia is participating in the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Industry Decarbonisation Programme, which provides access to up to N$4 billion (about US$250 million) in concessional climate finance to support low-carbon industrial development.
According to the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), participation in the programme marks an important step in the country’s efforts to position itself as a global green energy player.
Namibia was selected alongside a small group of countries from dozens of applicants to participate in the initiative, which is backed by a US$1 billion global funding facility aimed at reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions in developing economies.
The programme provides concessional financing to support industrial decarbonisation and has led to the development of a Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan (STIP), which is being coordinated by the government through the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme.
Gertze said stakeholder engagement remains critical to ensuring inclusivity, alignment with national development priorities and the promotion of local participation.
He said one of the key measures of success for the green industrialisation agenda would be whether young people are adequately prepared to take part in the emerging industry.
“One of the most important tests of this agenda will be whether our young people are genuinely prepared to participate in it,” he said
He welcomed ongoing efforts by government and development partners, including the German government, to invest in training and skills development for Namibians seeking opportunities in the sector.
According to Gertze, green industrialisation should not be viewed only through the lens of large-scale projects.
“It is not only about one flagship project. It is about the ecosystem around it,” he said.
He said opportunities linked to green industrialisation extend beyond energy production and include engineering services, logistics, transport, fabrication, accommodation, maintenance, utilities, water infrastructure, port services, environmental management, digital systems, safety services and supply chains.
The governor said the success of the sector would also depend on whether small and medium-sized enterprises in Lüderitz, Aus and other parts of the region are able to participate in emerging value chains.
He noted that 90 students from the ǁKharas and Hardap regions are currently enrolled at vocational training centres and are expected to enter the growing green industrial and renewable energy sectors after completing their studies.
“We must continue to build local skills, technical readiness and practical pathways into employment so that this new industry is not observed from a distance by our youth, but entered by them with confidence and competence,” he said.
The CIF funding is intended to help Namibia develop clean technology supply chains, establish green industrial clusters and expand critical public infrastructure needed to support industrial transformation.
The programme is also expected to attract additional investment from international development finance institutions, including the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank.
Speaking at the same event, ǁKharas Regional Council chairperson Gerrit Witbooi said residents of the region support the proposed developments, provided they create meaningful opportunities for local communities.
“Skills development and enterprise development are important for our people,” he said.
Witbooi said the region is looking forward to the establishment of shared infrastructure that can support both economic growth and community development.
“As a region, we welcome these discussions because infrastructure remains important for national and regional development,” he said.
He added that companies operating in southern Namibia should make greater use of skills and expertise already available in the region.
Witbooi said local participation must remain a key consideration as the country advances its green industrialisation ambitions, ensuring that communities in project areas benefit from the opportunities being created.
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