Global Gateway in Namibia: Joint field visit of EU Commissioner for International Partnerships and European Parliament showcases how EU investments boost clean industrial

A high-level European Union (EU) delegation, led by Commissioner for International Partnerships H.E. Jozef Síkela, and accompanied by Mr. Barry Andrews, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Development, along with eight senior Members of the Committee and the Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly visited several EU-supported projects that boost sustainable development of Namibia with a specific focus on education and jobs creating.

"The estimations say that the green hydrogen industry in Namibia might create up to 130 thousand quality jobs. The potential is truly significant and with Global Gateway we can turn it into concrete progress and opportunities - jobs, businesses, better services. The projects that we have visited encompass our whole 360-degree approach: a wide range of operations, from supporting critical infrastructure and electrification to developing regulatory frameworks, training youth with technical and vocational skills for more job opportunities, supporting civil society up to concrete innovative projects like HyIron and Cleanergy," described the Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

On his part, Mr. Barry Andrews noted "The investments the EU is making through the Global Gateway initiative have the potential to create thousands of quality jobs for Namibian youth that help to build shared prosperity, promote human development, and secure economic opportunities people across the country. Our support for green hydrogen is an important part of this effort, as it is also for our investment in a modern and climate-proof Namibian economy. The progress we have seen already is impressive, and with this industry still only in its infancy, there is an opportunity to make sure we are not only generating shared prosperity but doing so in accordance with the highest environmental and social standards that can act as a model for other countries in the region."

Throughout the visit, the Commissioner and DEVE committee members engaged with private sector, civil society, local/regional government representatives, and workers to gauge their experience in setting up this pioneering green industrialisation in Namibia.

The EU Delegation visited the following Global Gateway projects:

• At first the EU delegation inaugurated the CleanEnergy Solutions Namibia project, a European-led green hydrogen project, together with the President of Namibia. This project of green hydrogen production is underway and will power trucks, port equipment, railway applications, and small ships. The on-site Hydrogen Academy exemplifies knowledge exchange, laying the foundation for a sustainable local workforce. Looking ahead, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia will expand to include an ammonia jetty and storage facility, before scaling up hydrogen and ammonia production for export to South Africa and the EU. The Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project is a partnership between the Belgian shipping and clean energy company and Namibia-headquartered company, Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L).
• At Namport, the delegation discussed how EU support to partnerships between Walvis Bay - Port of Antwerp and Bruges, and Lüderitz - Port of Rotterdam and Port of Sines can transform Namibian ports into regional logistics hubs on the Africa's Southwest Coast, by connecting land locked neighbouring countries and the Copperbelt with the European and Asian markets for the green hydrogen value chain. The EU is supporting studies and infrastructure planning to enable expanding container capacity and improving regional connectivity. This programme is very much in line with the EU Global Gateway strategy and part of 11 Global Gateway Transport corridors identified by the EU and African Union.
• The visit to TIDRET project: 'Towards an Inclusive Design of the Renewables Energy Transition" demonstrated how sustainable energy solutions can also advance gender inclusion and social equity. This project of €4.7 million funded by the EU with € 3.8 million and Germany is bringing solar energy to disadvantaged households. Thank to this project, 182 households, representing approximately 728 people, have received reliable access to clean energy. Of these, 70 percent are women-headed households.
• At the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), the "Ignite GH2" project was officially signed. Implemented by the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) and NIMT, together with private sector GH2 operators Zhero and Hyphen, the project aims to upskill around 700 unemployed graduates to increase their employability in emerging energy sectors. Forty trainers will receive an advanced Level 6 certification, as part of a wider effort to build a workforce ready for Namibia's green transition. This project is delivered through the Team Europe Initiative on "Opportunity-driven skills and VET in Africa" funded by the European Commission and Germany, and implemented by Enabel (BE), Expertise France (FR), Edufi (FI) and GIZ (DE).
• The field visit concluded at the recently inaugurated HyIron production facility, Africa's first climate-neutral green iron production facility, which demonstrates how green industrialisation can generate local jobs and value. The project has supported over 60 SMEs and 400 skilled labourers. HyIron is a milestone in Namibia's partnership with Team Europe, including German funding (€13.7 million grant) for the 1st phase, now completed with a contribution from the EU and the Netherlands for a 2nd phase, for a total of €12.9 million through the Climate Investor3/Namibia SDG1 Namibia Fund.

Background

The EU and Namibia are reliable and committed partners, celebrating this year the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations. Team Europe is Namibia's biggest trade and development partner, with a positive trade surplus for Namibia supporting local and regional value chains.

EU Global Gateway investments are creating thousands of quality jobs for Namibian youth and strengthening local and regional value chains. The partnership is about continuing to build shared prosperity; and ensuring opportunities reach people and communities across Namibia and Europe.

Global Gateway is the EU's contribution of €300 billion to narrowing the global investment gap worldwide. It is in line with the commitment of the G7 leaders from June 2021 to launch a values-driven, high-standard and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet global infrastructure development needs.