Namibia’s much-publicised green hydrogen strategy has moved beyond grand policy statements to real, operational pilot projects that are already making waves on the continent.
In just a few short years, the country has delivered Africa’s first green direct-reduced iron plant, is building its first commercial hydrogen refuelling station, and has launched a pioneering hydrogen village initiative designed to power local agriculture and communities.
The HyIron Oshivelo green iron project in Erongo region stands as one of the clearest signs of progress. In April 2025, it produced Africa’s first batches of green direct-reduced iron using a 12 MW electrolyser powered entirely by solar energy.
The pilot facility is designed to produce 15,000 tonnes of zero-carbon iron annually, showcasing a process that cuts emissions to virtually zero compared to traditional coal-based reduction. Built in under a year at an estimated cost of N$600 million, the project is already exploring options to scale up, which could expand output to 1 million tonnes per year. If realised, such an expansion could avoid nearly 1.8 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, while proving that Namibia can add value to its minerals sustainably.
Meanwhile, in Walvis Bay, the Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project is nearing completion as the country’s first commercial hydrogen production and refuelling hub—a joint venture between local giant Ohlthaver & List and Belgian hydrogen technology firm CMB.TECH, Cleanergy’s facility includes a 5 MW solar array, battery storage, an electrolyser, and a public refuelling station. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2024, with commissioning planned for 2025. Cleanergy’s model focuses on practical applications, aiming to decarbonise trucks, port equipment, and even maritime vessels, while also training Namibians in hydrogen technologies through its dedicated hydrogen academy.
Further inland, the Daures Green Hydrogen Village offers a different but equally important success story. Positioned as Namibia’s first integrated community-scale green hydrogen project, it is designed to produce green ammonia for local agriculture and demonstrate hydrogen-powered energy solutions in rural settings. Backed by grant funding from Germany and other partners, Daures Village has become a model for how green hydrogen can support local food security, job creation, and energy access in arid areas.
A vision shaped by big ambitions
These projects represent only part of Namibia’s ambitious green hydrogen initiative. When the government first unveiled its strategy in 2021, the promise was nothing less than transformative: harness the country’s world-class solar and wind resources to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives on an industrial scale, thereby powering global decarbonisation while fundamentally remaking the national economy.
Namibia framed this push as a “second independence”—a chance to diversify beyond mining and livestock, generate thousands of new jobs, and become a renewable energy hub for southern Africa. The flagship plan is Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s US$10 billion mega-project in the Tsau //Khaeb National Park, aiming to produce 300,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually for export markets in Europe and Asia.
Early political support was robust. The government established the Green Hydrogen Council, hosted international investor forums, and secured a €40 million grant from Germany to help fund pilot projects and feasibility studies. MoUs were signed with Germany and the European Union, cementing Namibia’s status as a potential green hydrogen powerhouse.
The gap between vision and delivery
Yet three years on, much of that large-scale vision remains on paper. The Hyphen mega-project, although advanced in planning, is still navigating close financing, land use agreements, environmental approvals, and infrastructure requirements, including desalination and port upgrades.
While Namibia has succeeded in attracting investor interest and signing framework agreements, no full-scale green hydrogen exports are yet flowing. Much of the promised job creation and local energy access depends on these mega-projects moving from feasibility to construction.
Critics worry that the export-heavy focus will repeat the mistakes of past industries, where raw resources were exported while local development lagged. The government insists that green hydrogen must benefit Namibians directly through affordable renewable power, desalinated water, new industries, and community development, but detailed, enforceable plans for delivering these benefits are still being finalised.
Building foundations for the future
Despite these challenges, Namibia’s early successes should not be dismissed. The HyIron plant, Cleanergy’s hydrogen refuelling hub, and the Daures Green Hydrogen Village show that the country can deliver real projects on the ground. They provide training grounds for engineers and technicians, establish local supply chains, and offer proof that green hydrogen isn’t just a dream but an emerging industry.
These pilots also position Namibia as a serious player in Africa’s green transition. Unlike many competitors who are still drafting strategies, Namibia has actual infrastructure and processes to show.
A crucial next chapter
But scaling up remains the real test. Transforming pilot projects into a billion-dollar export industry that drives Namibia’s economy will require years of consistent policy support, patient investor negotiations, and substantial infrastructure investment. Financing, permitting, community benefits agreements, and export contracts will all need to align to avoid false starts.
For now, Namibia stands at a promising but delicate stage. It has delivered Africa’s first green iron plant, is about to open its first hydrogen refuelling hub, and has launched an innovative hydrogen village model—all clear markers of progress.
