WINDHOEK: Vice President Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah has emphasised the need for Namibia to continue playing an active role in advancing green hydrogen and industrialisation . Nandi – Ndaitwah was speaking at the official opening of the inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek on Wednesday . She said Namibia is hosting the summit due to the initiative of late President Hage Geingob , and expressed appreciation for the over 1 000 delegates from around the world attending the event . Nandi – Ndaitwah outlined Namibia ‘ s commitment to sustainable industrialisation as a core strategic goal since independence and pointed to Vision 2030 , National Development Plans , and the Harambee Prosperity Plan as frameworks guiding this objective . ‘ This goal has been clearly articulated in our Vision 2030 and strategically reinforced in subsequent National Development Plans since 2004 , as well as the Harambee Prosperity Plan . Importantly , this objective is shared with our continental peers and has been captured
in Africa Agenda 2063 , the Africa we want , where many African states recognise the interconnected nature of our economic and environmental ecosystems ,’ she said . She further detailed Namibia ‘ s plans to use its abundant renewable energy resources for hydrogen production , which she described as a crucial method for tackling climate change and fostering development in hard – to – abate sectors and noted that Namibia is investing in research and development to explore these opportunities . ‘ The utilisation of abundant renewable energy potential to produce hydrogen , which can be used as a fundamental building block for hard – to – abate sectors , has emerged as a promising means to combat climate change , while also offering an important developmental pathway . This concept is worthy of detailed study and research and Namibia is investing its fair share of intellectual space towards this pursuit ,’ she said . Nandi – Ndaitwah also outlined Namibia ‘ s resources and infrastructure that support green indust
rialisation and mentioned the country ‘ s deposits of critical minerals , its role in facilitating copper trade with Zambia , and its favorable wind and solar conditions . She further highlighted Namibia ‘ s plans to expand port and rail infrastructure to enhance trade in low – carbon goods . ‘ Namibia offers a rich and welcoming environment that is well suited to host an impactful green industrialisation eco – system . Namibia has rich deposits of the minerals required to build clean industries , such as critical rare earth elements and lithium . We also help our Zambian neighbours trade their copper , a key ingredient for sustainable industries , with global markets ,’ she said . The three – day summit , which started on Tuesday , brings together leading role players in the sector , including heads of state , and is being held under the theme ‘ From Amibition to Action : Fueling Africa ‘ s Green Industrial Revolution ‘.

Source: The Namibia News Agency