Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) is gaining momentum in 2025, with 21 green hydrogen and industrialisation projects being tracked at various stages of implementation.
The programme, coordinated under the Office of the Presidency and driven in close alignment with the Green Industrialisation Blueprint, is regarded as one of the continent’s most ambitious hydrogen rollouts.
Of these 21 projects, nine have been completed, ten are actively underway, and two are on hold—demonstrating tangible progress in the country’s strategy to become a global green hydrogen hub.
Projects completed
Nine projects have already reached completion.
These include the establishment of the NGH2P office, which now acts as the central coordination hub for all hydrogen and green industrialisation activities in the country, and a feasibility study by the MMM Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping, which examined Namibia’s potential to serve as a green ammonia and hydrogen bunkering hub for maritime traffic rounding the Cape of Good Hope.
The first phase of the Education and Research initiative has been completed, focusing on building a core of Namibian engineers and technicians with hydrogen-specific skills.
Also completed are the Central Valley Feasibility Study, which mapped technical and environmental conditions for potential hydrogen clusters inland; market sounding processes for Request for Proposals (RFPs) 2 and 3, designed to attract global developers for upcoming hydrogen zones; and the HyIron project, which demonstrated the feasibility of producing direct reduced iron (DRI) using green hydrogen as a reductant. Pre-feasibility studies under NAM-RS-005, a framework for regional renewable-hydrogen synergy projects, have been finalised, as well as the NAM-SA pipeline pre-feasibility study assessing a Namibia–South Africa hydrogen and ammonia pipeline corridor.
Fiscal regime simulation support has also been concluded, modelling tax and revenue implications for different hydrogen export and domestic-use scenarios.
Projects nearing completion
Several projects are nearing completion and have made significant progress.
The Daures Green Hydrogen Village, now 99% complete, is a flagship initiative that integrates solar power generation, hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, and agricultural applications, such as green fertiliser production.
Cleanergy, a joint venture producing hydrogen and ammonia at Walvis Bay, is at 90% completion and is expected to export its first shipment by early 2026.
The global best practice study for Common User Infrastructure is 96% complete, aiming to guide the design of shared port, pipeline, and storage facilities for multiple hydrogen producers.
The Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for the Southern Valley is 66% complete, mapping environmental safeguards and community engagement requirements.
The Wind Met Mast Campaign, essential for high-quality wind resource data collection, has progressed to 13%, while the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project in the Tsau Khaeb National Park—a multi-billion-dollar development—has also reached 13% completion in its early works. Capacity-building initiatives under NAM-RS-005 are at 47%, with a focus on operator training and safety protocols.
The Education and Research Phase 2 is 40% complete, with an expansion of vocational and university-level hydrogen curricula.
The legislative review process, including policy development to underpin the hydrogen sector, is slightly ahead of plan at 58%, and the fiscal legislation analysis and review has advanced to 75%.
Projects far behind or on hold
Two projects are currently on hold.
Hyrail, intended to integrate hydrogen fuel cell technology into Namibia’s railway system, and the Green Industrialisation Fund Preparation (Asset Economics Analysis), which has reached 22%.
Among the delayed projects are HDF Energy, a renewables and hydrogen hybrid project in Swakopmund, which is only 12% complete, and the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment for the Central Valley, which is lagging at 4%.
Pivotal year for green growth
This year is emerging as a crucial inflexion point for Namibia’s green energy vision.
High-impact, private sector-led projects such as HyIron and Cleanergy are poised to make final investment decisions worth billions of dollars.
Meanwhile, the Namibian government and NGH2P are working to mobilise concessional finance from multilateral development banks, climate funds, and strategic partners, aiming to reduce capital costs for the broader green hydrogen ecosystem.
In tandem, the government is designing enabling legislation and fiscal incentives to accelerate large-scale industrial development, including targeted tax breaks, infrastructure-sharing frameworks, and priority access to renewable energy land allocations.
These actions are expected to transition Namibia’s green hydrogen agenda from pilot initiatives to commercial-scale execution—with local and international buyers, including European and Asian utilities, signing agreements to offtake Namibia’s green hydrogen, ammonia, and related products.
Continental showcases
Namibia’s progress will be presented at high-profile global forums, including the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), the Global Maritime Forum, and COP30. In September 2025, Windhoek will host the Global African Hydrogen Summit, which will serve as a platform for investment, policy dialogue, and public engagement, bringing together government leaders, financiers, technology providers, and offtakers.
Transition to self-sufficiency
Beyond implementation, NGH2P has set its sights on becoming a self-sustaining entity.
Through partnerships with academic institutions, industry players, and development agencies, as well as ongoing government mentorship, the programme aims to become a continental centre of excellence.
Its role would include sharing Namibia’s green hydrogen experiences with other African countries, mobilising cross-border capital, and driving green industrialisation efforts throughout the continent.
As 2025 progresses, the foundation laid through these 21 projects is positioning Namibia for commercial lift-off in the global hydrogen economy, turning the country’s abundant wind and solar resources into a cornerstone of Africa’s clean energy future.
