President Hage Geingob says Namibia aims to propel a new era of economic growth that is both environmentally conscious and socially inclusive.
Geingob told the other world leaders at the COP28 in Dubai that Namibia will need to move billions of dollars to achieve this feat.
“We recognise that green industrialisation is not just an economic imperative but a pathway to environmental sustainability and social equity,” Geingob said.
He also said Namibia wants to become a hub for renewable energy innovation, driving green industrialisation that creates jobs, fosters economic development, and ensures energy access for all.
“We are developing nine green hydrogen projects that want to use renewable energy to produce clean molecules that will decarbonise various sectors of our economies, including transport and agriculture, and create new industries, such as those emanating from the chemicals and basic materials sectors,” he said.
He further said Namibia pledges to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of renewables in the next two decades, more than 30 times our existing generation capacity.
He told the other leaders that Namibia has generous lithium deposits and light and heavy rare earth elements, critical raw minerals needed to engender the energy transition.
“Today, we are exploring ways to use these minerals to manufacture battery precursors within our borders, adding value to our natural endowments before exporting them, and we aim to do so by deploying additional renewable energy,” he said.
According to Geingob, new infrastructure, such as ports, roads, railways, transmission lines and pipelines for water and hydrogen, will have to be built.
“We will need to move billions of dollars to achieve this feat,” he said, adding that these activities will diversify exports and significantly bolster our gross fixed capital formation.
Geingob also said Namibia recognises the urgent need for collective action to address climate change and ensure sustainable development across Africa.
He added that Namibia’s position aligns with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, ‘The Africa We Want’, which beckons to forge a united, resilient continent in the face of global challenges.
“Our commitment to this vision is unwavering, and today, I wish to emphasise the pivotal role renewable energy will play in realising the ambitions of Agenda 2063,” Geingob said.
“It is a call to build an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent that harnesses its resources sustainably for the benefit of all,” he said.
Geingob said Namibia is poised to champion this cause with its vast landscapes and untapped renewable potential.
“Our commitment extends beyond national borders,” he said.
