By: David Shoombe
The Africa Green Industries Summit, which took place in Swakopmund, highlighted an urgent need for Namibia’s green hydrogen sector to develop a well-trained and highly skilled Namibian workforce, if the industry is to achieve its target of 30,000 jobs by 2030.
Industrial players at the summit indicated that while Namibia has progressed green hydrogen projects from the pilot stages toward commercial operations, the shortage of a skilled Namibian workforce remains a central concern.
Namibia is assuming an increasingly important role in Africa’s green industrialisation, with projects for production of low carbon iron and ammonia fertiliser expected to create significant economic opportunities.
Commercialisation of these projects will require Namibians with specialised expertise in fields such as chemical engineering, science, and advanced welding.
The industry leaders and investors at the summit critically examined the skills gap that could hinder Namibia’s industrialisation ambitions.
The Director General of the National Planning Commission, Ambassador Kaire Mbuende, stated that, “An industrial economy cannot depend permanently on importing the people it needs.”
He said that, through the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship Programme, young Namibians are being trained in technical fields to prepare them for the industrialisation of the industry.
Speaking at the summit, the interim Head of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, Joseph Mukendwa, echoed the Ambassador’s sentiments by indicating that Namibia needs highly trained professionals who can lead the country’s green industrialisation agenda. Mukendwa noted that apart from the funding gap, the green hydrogen sector has a lack of local capacity.
Andreas Elombo, Head of the National Energy Institute, also highlighted the importance of highly skilled technical professionals in driving the industry.
Elombo noted that Namibia needs to scale up investment in research and development to maximise the contribution of green hydrogen to the national energy sector.
The Executive Director of the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), Professor Nelago Indongo, highlighted that the green industrial transition needs partnerships.
She added that institutions in Namibia need to establish strong partnerships to support the country’s green industrial transition.
Academic and research institutions can provide research, knowledge and training while helping build the capacity of the workforce.
“We cannot achieve green industrialisation without proper research and data. Better data means better decisions,” she said, noting that this allows knowledge to be transformed into practical solutions.
“We need to move from academic research to practical solutions. If we are serious about unlocking opportunities and decent jobs, attracting investment and improving energy security, meaningful collaboration and partnerships among institutions must be prioritised.”
