The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has carried out an oversight visit to the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project located near Luderitz to evaluate its progress and implementation. 

The committee's Chairperson, Tobie Aupindi, expressed strong optimism and enthusiasm for the project's potential to redefine the country's economic trajectory. 

He called for multisectoral support for the project's rollout, saying that a project of this magnitude presents a vital opportunity for collaborative national effort. 

"This project is undoubtedly significant and has the potential to make a substantial contribution to Namibia's economy, as well as to social and economic upliftment and our GDP. However, it also presents an opportunity cost for all stakeholders involved across the various ministries and authorities. It requires their diligent efforts to ensure that communication is well-coordinated, timely, and supported by all parties to achieve success. This is, by all means, one of the most significant investments in Namibia." 

Addressing the committee members virtually, CEO of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Marco Raffinetti, clarified the government's financial commitment to the project. 

"All is being donor-funded by the Dutch government and the European government. So, the government at this stage is not spending any money or taking any risk financially on half of the project other than the cost of supporting the green hydrogen industry in the programme that they are doing for the benefit of the whole sector. This is a very important question and very misunderstood. If there are any financial people in the room, this is what we call somebody taking risk."