Namibia is accorded an opportunity to contribute to the global collaboration agenda for advancing the green hydrogen ecosystem following an invitation to join the International Hydrogen Trade Forum.
Namibia is a member of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum through the Namibian Green Hydrogen Programme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
The forum is imperative for high-level discussions between importing and exporting nations, ensuring the development of global trade corridors for hydrogen and its derivatives.
Namibia, with the opportunity at hand, could improve efforts to strengthen the trade of hydrogen and its results, as well as fortify collaboration with partner nations and the private sector to maximise the environmental and socio-economic benefits of the hydrogen trade.
The Green Hydrogen Commissioner, James Mnyupe, says the collaboration with the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management, supported by the German Ministry of Education and Research, will also host a Green Hydrogen Programme Symposium.
This is to enhance regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing in the green hydrogen sector with Botswana, Angola, South Africa, and Lesotho.
Germany's Minister of Economy and Climate Action and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck held discussions with Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo during the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.
Minister Habeck expressed keen interest in reinforcing cooperation between the two nations to advance green industrial development.
Plans for a support package for Namibia's Green Hydrogen Programme, pending final budgetary approvals, were disclosed during their bilateral meeting to fast-track Namibia's efforts in developing common user infrastructure, the development of local hydrogen-related value chains, and to facilitate public consultation and communication initiatives.
The Namibian Green Hydrogen Programme also discussed implementing the world-class Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment for identified green hydrogen valleys at Namibia International Finance Corporation headquarters in Washington, DC.