Judith Walker
When most people hear “green hydrogen,” they think about renewable energy, billion-dollar investments, or the huge projects happening in the south of Namibia. While those things are exciting, I think there’s another side to the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough: the people.
I was appointed as a Green Hydrogen Youth Ambassador because I wanted to be part of something that could make a real difference in Namibia’s future. As a microbiology student, I’ve always believed that science should solve real problems and create opportunities for people. Green hydrogen has the potential to do exactly that.
But if I’m being honest, one thing I’ve realised is that many people still don’t really know what green hydrogen is or why they should care.
When I tell someone I’m a Green Hydrogen Youth Ambassador, one of the first questions I get is, “So… what exactly is green hydrogen?” And that’s a fair question. If people don’t understand something, they can’t be expected to support it or see how it could benefit them.
I think that’s where youth have an important role to play.
We don’t have to explain everything with technical or complicated presentations. Sometimes all it takes is a simple conversation. We can explain how well green hydrogen could create jobs, support local businesses, encourage innovation, and help Namibia move towards cleaner energy. We can help people understand that this isn’t just about exporting hydrogen to other countries. It’s also about creating opportunities here at home.
Since being appointed, our group has been working behind the scenes on proposals and ideas for projects that we hope to take into communities. We haven’t launched anything yet, and that’s okay. One thing I’ve learned is that good projects don’t happen overnight. They take planning, teamwork, and a lot of conversations before they become reality.
Although people usually only see the final product, there’s a lot of work that happens before that. You have to think about what communities actually need, who to partner with, and how to make sure the project has a lasting impact instead of being a once-off event. It isn’t always the exciting part, but it’s probably one of the most important parts.
This experience has also reminded me that real change doesn’t happen because one person has a good idea. It happens when different people come together with the same goal. Government, universities, businesses, young people, and communities all have a role to play if Namibia wants to build a successful green hydrogen industry.
I also think we sometimes underestimate what young people can contribute. We often hear that youth are the future, but the truth is we’re also part of the present. Young people are studying, researching, creating businesses, leading organisations, and finding new ways to solve problems every day. We shouldn’t just be waiting for opportunities to come to us, we should be helping create them.
As someone studying microbiology, I also want more students to realise that green hydrogen isn’t only for engineers. Whether you’re studying science, business, law, environmental management, education, communications, or economics, there’s a place for you in this industry. It will need people with different skills and different ideas.
For me, being a Youth Ambassador isn’t just about promoting green hydrogen. It’s about helping people feel like they are part of Namibia’s energy transition. If communities don’t understand what’s happening, it’s easy for them to feel left out. But when people are included in the conversation from the beginning, they’re more likely to support it and benefit from it.
I hope that over the next few years we’ll see more conversations happening in schools, universities, and communities across the country. I hope more young people ask questions, share ideas, and get involved. Namibia has been given an incredible opportunity, but whether we make the most of it depends on more than just technology or investment.
It depends on us.
Green hydrogen has the potential to change Namibia’s future, but only if we make sure that future includes everyone. As young people, we have the energy, creativity, and passion to help make that happen. We may not have all the answers yet, but we’re willing to learn, contribute, and be part of building something bigger than ourselves.
And I think that’s exactly where real change begins.
Judith Walker is a final-year Microbiology student at the University of Namibia and Green Hydrogen Youth Ambassador. She comes from the small village of Kapako in the Kavango West region. Passionate about science, sustainability, and youth development, she is committed to raising awareness of green hydrogen and its potential to create opportunities for young Namibians. Through leadership, community engagement, and science communication, Judith aims to inspire more young people to explore careers in renewable energy and contribute to building a sustainable future for Namibia.
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