By Feni Hiveluah
Deputy minister of industries, mines and energy Gaudentia Krohne says Namibia has secured access to up to USD250 million (N$4.08 billion) in concessional climate finance to support low-carbon industrial development through its Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan under the Climate Investment Funds Industry Decarbonisation Programme.
She was speaking at the launch of the Africa Green Industries Summit in Windhoek on Wednesday.
“As the director general of the National Planning Commission stated at the Industrial Decarbonisation Workshop, this facility is more than a source of financing but a catalytic instrument that enables Namibia to translate policy into practical industrial investments, unlock infrastructure, expand manufacturing, strengthen mineral beneficiation and stimulate job creation,” Krohne said.
According to the deputy minister, the Green Hydrogen Focus Area within the National Development Plan 6 identifies green hydrogen as a new source of sustainable economic growth and employment, with targets that include the creation of 30 000 jobs by 2030 and the production of green baseload electricity.
She added that the plan links green hydrogen to manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, energy systems, water systems, re- search, skills development and export competitiveness.
“In other words, green hydrogen is not treated as an end in itself, but as a platform for industrial transformation,” she said. Krohne noted that the summit, boosted by Namibia’s hosting of the Global Green Hydrogen Summit, aims to broaden discus- sions from a hydrogen-focused platform into a more integrated green industrialisation agenda.
She said the Africa Green Industries Summit represents a shift from sector-specific dialogue toward a broader focus on renewable energy, green hydrogen, infrastructure, critical minerals and sustainable manufacturing.
“That broadening is timely and necessary because Namibia’s ambition is not to build one isolated sector, but to catalyse an industrial ecosystem,” she said. The summit will be held under the theme ‘Powering African Industries for Sustainable Development’ from 9 to 10 September in Swakopmund.
Krohne emphasised that Namibia is not starting from zero in the green energy space, pointing to ongoing projects as proof of progress.
She highlighted Hyphen Hydrogen Energy as a flagship large-scale project in the south that is positioning Namibia in green iron production, as well as Cleanergy Solutions, which is demonstrating the use of hydrogen in mobility and industrial applications.
“Other ecosystem players are working on green ammonia, logistics, shared infrastructure and technology partnerships. These developments show that Namibia is moving from policy vision to practical implementation,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, acting chief executive officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board Jessica Hauuanga said achieving national development goals will require collective commitment and action.
She stressed that as the green hydrogen industry evolves, greater focus must be placed on broader industrialisation, value creation and real socio-economic impact.
“The green industrial revolution must move beyond aspiration to deliver tangible benefits in the form of sustainable jobs, investment in local enterprises and inclusive economic opportunities,” Hauuanga said.
She urged stakeholders not to focus only on meetings and agreements, but on real out- comes that improve lives.
“As we look ahead to this inaugural summit, let it be remembered not just for the number of agreements signed, but for the lives uplifted, the enterprises empowered and the communities transformed,” she said.
