The Arandis Town Council has revealed a new four-year strategic plan that focuses on joint venture participation, green hydrogen, and industrialisation.

The new plan will also continue to improve support services and logistics in the town.

The town council launched the 2024-2029 strategic plan at Swakopmund, and the blueprint is expected to guide Arandis to a sustainable future.

Chief Executive Officer Stanley Norris said Arandis will leverage its land as a critical factor of production and economic growth.

"By optimising land use, we aim to attract investment, create jobs, and generate additional revenue. This approach will not only enhance our municipal services but also contribute significantly to broader national objectives."

Risto Kapenda is the town mayor; he elaborated on the growth of Arandis. "Arandis was just known as a small town, a mining town that was created by Rossing. But the local authority decided that we are not going to depend too much on the mining part; we would rather set ourselves in motion for industrialisation, and we encourage support services for Arandis so that we can provide the services to the mines rather than having them come from Walvis Bay; we want them to be in Arandis." 

The CEO announced that the council and Cleanergy Namibia are planning to set up a large-scale solar and green hydrogen production farm at Arandis.

Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Eveline !Nawases-Taeyele, said Namibia is embracing change, and green hydrogen projects reflect the country's progress.

"This initiative will not only create local and regional employment but also position Namibia as a global hydrogen hub, significantly contributing to our national GDP. Green hydrogen is no longer a distant dream; it is a reality that demands action to address climate change and secure a sustainable future." 

The deputy minister further commended the Arandis town council for achieving 81% of its objectives set out in the previous strategic plan.

The achievements include the construction of 136 houses, innovative measures to reduce pensioner debts, the introduction of a pre-paid water system, and the servicing of land at the logistics hub.

The council created four new industries out of the five targeted industries, while 450 jobs were facilitated.