Namibia has launched the UN Industrial Development Organisation-Global Environment Facility (UNIDO-GEF) Child Project in Windhoek today.
The programme aims to strengthen the country's capacity to develop a sustainable green hydrogen industry.
The project under the Global Clean Hydrogen Programme seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, improve policy and enhance technological readiness, among others.
A grant of approximately N$8 million has been allocated for the project, which will be carried out over a five-year period.
David Nghimwenavali is the National Project Coordinator for UNIDO-GEF Namibia.
He said, "Some may look at this amount and compare it with much larger financing windows, such as the Climate Investment Funds, which are important but are largely concessional loan instruments. This GEF grant is different. It is catalytic grant financing, designed to strengthen the foundations that make larger investments possible."
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director in the Ministry of Environment, Sikongo Haihambo, said Namibia must work to ensure that green hydrogen development is structured, safe and sustainable.
"As we move from launch to implementation, government attaches particular importance to four priorities: policy coherence, technical readiness, local application and value addition and coordinated implementation."
The project also targets at least 832 direct participants, with 50% and 20% female and youth inclusion, respectively.
The Resident Coordinator of the UN, Hopolong Phororo, said, "Women and young people should not enter the conversation once decisions have already been made. They should be helping to shape those decisions. If women, youth and communities are invited only after plans are finalised, participation becomes consultation."
Also speaking at the event, EIF CEO Benedict Libanda stated, "Our role primarily involves project management and administrative coordination. We must ensure that the Child project, supported by GEF, and the anticipated outcomes from UNIDO, contribute to the implementation and achievement of the objectives outlined in the project's initial document."