The green hydrogen programme is seen as a game changer in Namibia's quest for economic recovery and inclusive growth.

The chairperson of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Council, Obeth Kandjoze, revealed that the green hydrogen initiative has so far created employment for about 500 people.

Over 80 percent of those currently employed in the green hydrogen sector are from marginalised communities, while over 30 local SMEs have been deployed across green hydrogen programmes.

Chairperson of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Council, Obeth Kandjoze, announced that over 4,000 youth have applied for the green hydrogen scholarship programme, all hoping to make the cut to be included in the €200 million made available for the scholarships.

This, he echoed, is an indication that progress around the green hydrogen initiative is accelerating.

Also among the plans is the commencement of a detailed feasibility and implementation study with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy for a hydrogen plant, the advancement of the Southern Corridor Development Initiative on various studies of common user infrastructure, and strategic environmental assessment work for expansion to Luderitz and Aus.

Additional planning proposal requests are underway, he added.

Various funding models are constantly being explored.

The SDG Namibia Fund, a green hydrogen financing platform, is in place, while a grant of €40 million by Dutch Invest International has been capitalised.

Kandjoze revealed that the fund is well on track to mobilise another billion dollars.

He further added that the development finance assessment report approved by the cabinet and launched in 2020, which advocates for a roadmap towards implementing an integrated national financing framework, will be interpreted into the green hydrogen project.