European Union and Namibia have officially endorsed a strategic partnership roadmap for sustainable raw materials and renewable hydrogen.
This ambitious initiative, supported by an impressive €1 billion investment from the EU, its member states, and European financial institutions, aims to not only advance green hydrogen production but also boost economic development and integration in the region.
Namibia, with its abundant renewable energy potential, is emerging as a leader in the green hydrogen sector. Green hydrogen, produced through the process of electrolysis using renewable energy sources, is hailed as a clean and efficient way to store and transport energy. By endorsing this partnership, the EU recognizes Namibia’s potential to be a front-runner in green hydrogen production.
Namibia’s President Hage Geingob shared his country’s commitment to harnessing its renewable energy resources for sustainable industrialization. He acknowledged the need for mobilizing capital that adequately prices risk to optimize its cost, recognizing the critical role of financing in realizing this transformative partnership with the EU.
Roadmap for Sustainable Growth
The roadmap, covering the years 2023 to 2025, builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Namibia and the EU in November 2022. This strategic partnership focuses on six key pillars:
- Integration of Value Chains: Cooperation in exploring and developing critical raw material projects to promote sustainable value chains.
- Environmental and Social Responsibility: Leveraging environmental, social, and governance criteria, including mapping abandoned mines and using Earth Observation and remote sensing for resource exploration and land use planning.
- Infrastructure Investment: Mobilizing funding for essential infrastructure, such as mining, refining, and green processing projects, as well as upgrading transport corridors.
- Capacity Building: Identifying training and skill development needs along the raw material and green hydrogen value chains, enhancing technical and vocational training.
- Research and Innovation: Promoting research projects and networking along the critical raw material value chain.
- Regulatory Alignment: Developing a national strategy for critical raw materials and creating an enabling environment for the hydrogen and synthetic fuels industry.
As part of the strategic collaboration, the EU will support the development of the Walvis Bay port, a vital entry point from the Atlantic to the Walvis Bay – Maputo Corridor. This transformation aims to make the port a regional logistics and industrial hub for the green hydrogen and derivatives economy. With over 300 million inhabitants in the Southern African Development Community, this project promises to boost trade and economic integration in the region.
Under the guidance of the EU and with the involvement of the Port of Antwerp and Bruges International, a masterplan will be developed to improve multimodal infrastructure, spatial planning, and market organization. The EU will also assist the Namibian Ports Authority in achieving operational excellence.
The EU-Namibia partnership, with its focus on green hydrogen and sustainable raw materials, exemplifies a commitment to a greener, more prosperous future. By working together, these nations aim to harness the power of renewable energy and innovative technologies to address climate change and stimulate economic growth.
