Namibia positions itself as Africa’s green hydrogen powerhouse

In an exclusive interview with Energy Connects ahead of Global African Hydrogen Summit 2025, Honourable Gaudentia Kröhne, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy of Namibia outlines Namibia’s strategy to become Africa’s green hydrogen leader through world-class resources and strategic positioning.

Namibia has garnered significant attention for its green hydrogen ambitions. Could you elaborate on the specific advantages Namibia possesses that make it a competitive player in the global green hydrogen market?

Namibia’s competitive edge lies in a combination of natural resources, location, and governance.

We have some of the world’s best solar and wind resources, enabling consistent and cost-effective renewable energy generation. Our vast, sparsely populated land provides the space needed for large-scale energy projects without major land-use conflicts.

Strategically, Namibia is well-positioned with access to deep-water ports like Walvis Bay, offering direct shipping routes to key markets in Europe and Asia.

Our stable democracy, sound legal framework, and commitment to the rule of law make Namibia an attractive, predictable investment destination.

These factors, combined, support the development of large-scale green hydrogen and derivative products at globally competitive prices. Namibia is not just aiming to export green hydrogen but to create value-added products such as green ammonia and green iron that support decarbonisation worldwide.

Securing offtake agreements is crucial for the success of green hydrogen projects. What strategies is Namibia employing to attract international buyers and establish long-term partnerships?

Namibia recognises that demand certainty is critical to attracting investment in green hydrogen production.

Our strategy focuses on producing high-demand green products, like green ammonia for fertilisers and shipping fuel, green iron for steel production, and other hydrogen derivatives.

We actively engage potential off takers through international platforms, such as the World Hydrogen Summit and the Global African Hydrogen Summit, showcasing our capacity to deliver at competitive cost and scale.

Importantly, we are forming strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries. For example, by working with South Africa to help decarbonise their industry, Namibia can help them meet evolving European carbon border adjustment requirements.

Namibia also emphasises transparent investment promotion. We are developing clear regulatory frameworks, special economic zones, and infrastructure plans to support investors in committing to long-term offtake agreements.

We are actively engaging potential offtake countries and trying to co-create mechanisms that would aid bilateral offtake arrangements and have recognised the contracts for difference mechanism as a strategic game changer in our national development plans. The Namibian Green Hydrogen Programme has also engaged H2 Global to explore the possibility of building a bespoke CfD window but also learn from other countries, in participating in their double-sided auctions.

Beyond export, how does Namibia envision utilising green hydrogen domestically to decarbonise sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation?

Namibia’s approach prioritises maximising local value.

Domestically, green hydrogen will be used to build new clean industrial clusters in key sectors. Industrial projects such as HyIron Oshivela demonstrate this, producing green iron using renewable hydrogen. Cleanergy is developing green ammonia for fertilisers. HDF Energy’s project will deliver dispatchable renewable power through green hydrogen storage.

Beyond these projects, green hydrogen will unlock critical infrastructure for broader economic transformation. This includes expanding port facilities for green fuel exports and bunkering, upgrading rail systems to move bulk commodities sustainably, building desalination plants, and expanding electricity transmission lines.

Namibia is also looking at synthetic fuels for transport, decarbonising cement production, and enabling local mineral processing such as lithium and rare earth elements. All these support job creation, skills development, and industrial diversification aligned with Vision 2030.

How is Namibia leveraging the momentum from the Global African Hydrogen Summit to further its own green hydrogen initiatives and collaborations with other African nations and international partners?

The Global African Hydrogen Summit is a strategic platform for Namibia.

It allows us to showcase our projects to investors, offtakers, and technology partners from around the world. It also strengthens our collaboration with other African countries seeking to develop green hydrogen industries, supporting regional integration and value chain development.

The Summit also has a direct economic impact. Last year, it is estimated to have contributed around USD 3.5 million to the Namibian economy through hospitality, transport, and related services.

More importantly, it offers a space for our small businesses and youth entrepreneurs to connect with global players, expanding their networks and opportunities.

Namibia uses this momentum to align with partners on infrastructure development, investment mobilisation, and policy harmonisation, all of which are critical for scaling a sustainable green hydrogen industry that benefits the broader region.

The Summit also serves as a strategic meeting point where Namibia learns from neighbouring countries and strategic partners from across the globe and in the process evolves its own strategy and efforts to build interconnecting infrastructure like the envisioned hydrogen backbone between Namibia and South Africa.

Could you share how green hydrogen development will unlock broader infrastructure and industrial opportunities in Namibia?

Green hydrogen is not just about producing a new fuel. It is a catalyst for wider economic development.

It will drive major infrastructure investments. Ports like Walvis Bay will expand with new bunkering facilities and handling for green fuels. Rail systems will be upgraded to transport commodities efficiently, including iron ore for green iron production. New desalination plants will ensure water security for industry and communities in arid regions.

Transmission lines and energy corridors will be developed to move clean electricity to where it’s needed most.

Industrial parks will be established, such as the planned Nara Namib Industrial Zone near Walvis Bay, to host industries that rely on green power. This will attract investment in value-added processing of minerals like lithium and rare earth elements.

By building this infrastructure, we support not only the green hydrogen industry but also diversify our economy, create jobs, and strengthen Namibia’s position in regional and global trade.