Namibia is pushing for green industrialisation to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce the country’s dependence on exporting raw materials.
The Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Kaire Mbuende, says Namibia must focus on using its natural resources to manufacture goods and develop industries that can compete locally, regionally and internationally.
Speaking at the African Green Industries Summit in Swakopmund, Mbuende said green hydrogen should serve as an enabler of broader industrialisation.
Under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the government aims to increase the contribution of secondary industries to 25% of GDP by 2030, while manufacturing is targeted to grow to 18%.
The government has already set a target of creating 30,000 green hydrogen-related jobs by 2030.
"The importance of this summit lies in its ability to bring together the issues that must be addressed simultaneously: infrastructure, energy, mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, ports, rail, finance, market access, local content, skills, SMEs, communities and environmental, social and governance considerations," said Dr Mbuende. "Namibia has the renewable energy potential, mineral resources, strategic ports, land and market access required to become a competitive green industrial economy. The task before us is to retain more value from these resources by processing, manufacturing and building businesses around them."
The Director for International Partnerships at the European Union, Erica Gerretsen, said Africa must take ownership of its green industrial future, while partnerships should focus on creating jobs, developing skills and strengthening African industries.
"That is why the Africa EUV energy initiatives, by 2030, aim to support the deployment of at least 15 gigawatts of renewable electricity and expand energy access to at least 100 million people here in Africa. For this initiative, we are dealing with the African Union and the African part of the countries, but also, very importantly, in a Team Europe format."
Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses said responsible investment must bring more than capital and technology. "Our ambition must go beyond attracting investment. Green industrialisation must create real and lasting benefits for our people. It must create jobs for our youth, develop skills, strengthen local businesses, expand opportunities for our communities, and ensure that our environment is protected for future generations. We therefore welcome responsible investment and partnerships that bring not only capital and technology but also skills transfer, local participation, enterprise development and sustainable growth."