Na mibia is emerging as a promising frontier for the development of green hydrogen, oil, and gas resources. Recently, Namibia entered into a partnership with the European Union to advance a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, with a focus on promoting a just energy transition.Namibian President Hage Geingob emphasises that a clean energy ecosystem requires an increased reliance on mineral resources compared to one primarily dependent on fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency underscores the growing demand for critical minerals, estimating a 400% increase in clean energy investment by the end of the decade to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Geingob recognises the significance of securing a sustainable supply of critical raw materials, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.The European Union (EU) acknowledges renewable hydrogen as a critical component in decarbonising challenging sectors like heavy industry and transportation. Namibia is prepared to collaborate with the EU to help achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. By 2030, the EU estimates a requirement of 20 million tons of clean hydrogen, with half earmarked for import from trusted sources, including Namibia.Geingob points out that green hydrogen and ammonia are just the beginning of reshaping Namibia's economic structure. European companies like HyIron aspire to use Namibian green hydrogen to enhance their iron ore production by manufacturing Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) in Namibia. Additionally, shipping company Compagnie Maritime Belge has selected Namibia as its African hub, planning to use ammonia as a clean fuel for its f leet by establishing a bunkering facility in Walvis Bay.Namibia's Green Industrialisation Agenda is expected to boost its GDP by approximately $6.1 billion by 2040 and create more than 600 000 direct, indirect, and induced job opportunities, nearly doubling the size of the current formally employed labour force.Nangula Uaandja, the chairperson and CEO of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, highlights the significant oil discoveries by Total and Shell offshore Namibia, estimated at 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent. These reserves could potentially rank Namibia fourth in sub-Saharan Africa and 19th globally.The Ministry of Mines and Energy estimates that Namibia's Kudu gas reserves stand at approximately 10 trillion cubic feet, located about 130km off the southwest coast. This gas will be transported via a 170km pipeline to a power station in Oranjemund, where it will be used to generate electricity through the Kudu 800MW CCGT power station, operated by NamPower and its partners.
