TIRI MASAWI
Namibia is positioning itself to access nearly N$16 billion (US$1 billion) in international financing to advance its clean energy ambitions, as the country moves to strengthen its green hydrogen sector.
Acting head of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme Joseph Mukendwa said Namibia will next year lobby international finance partners in the United States of America for support to fund its decarbonisation plans.
“When you look at the fund revealed today it might seem modest in nature but it is the beginning of a journey that we have been working on as a country. Next year, we will get a chance to go and motivate our need for financing in the United States of America and we stand a chance of accessing close to US$1billion (about N$16 billion),” Mukendwa said
He was speaking at the launch of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)Namibia Child project on Friday.
The launch saw Namibia receiving N$8.7 million in its green hydrogen ambitions through a five-year support project driven by the Global Environment Facility, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation have injected.
The project, which will run for 60 months, is aimed at strengthening policies, institutions and technical capacity to support the sector.
David Nghimwenavali, Project Steering Committee Chairperson and National Project Coordinator, said the project marks a move from planning to implementation.
“Today marks an important transition: from preparation to implementation, from project design to delivery, and from ambition to coordinated national action,” Nghimwenavali said.
He said the funding may appear small compared to larger financing programmes, but its impact could be significant.
“This GEF grant is different. It is catalytic grant financing, designed to strengthen the foundations that make larger investments possible,” he said.
Nghimwenavali compared the project to a mustard seed, saying its value should not be judged by its size.
“In scripture, the mustard seed is described as one of the smallest seeds, yet it grows into something far greater than its size suggests. In the same spirit, this project may be modest in financial size, but its anticipated impact is significant,” he said.
He said the project would focus on strengthening policy, building institutions, improving technical readiness and supporting pilot development.
“It will help Namibia row in one direction,” Nghimwenavali said.
The launch comes as Namibia continues efforts to position itself as a destination for green hydrogen investment.
Nghimwenavali said recent developments, including Namibia’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, showed progress in strengthening governance and investor confidence.
“These developments reinforce a message that is important for green hydrogen: Namibia is strengthening its institutions, improving governance, and positioning itself as a serious destination for responsible investment,” he said.
He said his vision was for the project to unite different sectors behind a common goal.
“My best-case scenario—indeed, my dream—is that this project helps us bring policy, legislation, regulation, institutions, investors, communities, and ordinary Namibians into one rhythm,” he said.
The project will be guided by a 15-member Project Steering Committee made up of representatives from government institutions, development organisations, research bodies and private sector stakeholders.
The committee includes representatives from the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, National Planning Commission, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, Women in Green Hydrogen, Youth for Green Hydrogen, Namibia Standards Institute, Development Bank of Namibia, Namibia Green Hydrogen Research Institute and the Institute for Public Policy Research.
Nghimwenavali said gender inclusion was built into the project structure.
“Of the 15 nominated PSC members, seven are women, representing 47 percent of membership, and the nominated Vice-Chairperson is a woman,” he said.
The project is expected to directly involve at least 832 participants.
It has set a target of 50% female participation and 20% youth inclusion.
“These are not just statistics. These are a commitment to governance that is balanced, practical, and inclusive,” Nghimwenavali said.
He added that the success of the project would not only be measured by reports produced, but by its ability to help Namibia develop the skills, systems and partnerships needed for long-term green hydrogen development.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) will serve as the national executing agency and implementing partner for the project.
EIF chief executive officer Benedict Libanda said the organisation would support the project’s implementation at national level.
“The role of the EIF is to support the effective execution of the project at national level,” Libanda said.
He said the fund would host and support the Project Coordination Unit, assist with planning and budgeting, manage administrative and financial processes, support procurement and contracting, and ensure reporting and monitoring requirements are met.
“As Namibia advances its green hydrogen ambitions, strong execution will be essential,” Libanda said.
He said the EIF would ensure that project resources are handled responsibly and that activities are implemented transparently.
“The EIF will therefore work to ensure that project resources are managed responsibly, activities are implemented transparently, and results contribute to national priorities on climate action, green industrialisation, institutional capacity, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development,” he said.
Libanda said the success of the project would depend on cooperation among all stakeholders.
“We also recognise that this project will succeed only through partnership,” he said.
He thanked UNIDO, the GEF, the Government of Namibia, the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme and Project Steering Committee members for their support.
“The EIF remains committed to providing the institutional support required to move this project from launch to practical implementation,” Libanda said.
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