Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia can pursue green hydrogen and oil and gas development in parallel as the country seeks to close its energy gap, drive industrialisation and ensure its natural resources create lasting economic opportunities for Namibians.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during a one-on-one fireside conversation with Veronica Bolton Smith, Founder and CEO of Critical Minerals Africa Group, at Unstoppable Africa 2026 in New York.
The discussion was held under the energy theme, “Power Shift: Who Will Be Africa’s Next Energy Giants?”, and explored Namibia’s energy future, industrialisation, critical minerals, oil and gas, green hydrogen and skills development.
Photos: Namibian Presidency
Speaking about Project Hyphen, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia does not view green hydrogen and oil and gas as competing choices, but as resources that can complement one another as the country works to address its energy needs and expand economic opportunities.
“We want all of them to work in parallel in order to contribute significantly to where we want to take our development,” the President said.
She said Namibia remains committed to a diversified energy mix while pursuing its national emissions reduction targets.
The President also stressed the importance of ensuring that Namibia’s natural resources translate into lasting economic value, saying investment and development financing must align with the country’s laws and national development priorities while supporting sustainable economic growth.
Skills development was another key focus of the discussion, with Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighting Government’s efforts to prepare young Namibians for emerging industries, including green hydrogen and oil and gas.
Through initiatives linked to Project Hyphen, young Namibians from all 14 regions are being supported through scholarships to develop skills for the hydrogen sector.
She also highlighted the role of the Petrofund, established alongside Namibia’s petroleum legislation in 1992, in developing skills for the oil and gas industry.
The President further pointed to Government’s decision, effective from January 2026, to cover 100 per cent of tuition and registration fees for Namibian students at universities and vocational training institutions.
“All this we are doing because we want to develop our skills,” she said.
The discussion emphasised Namibia’s development priority of using its natural resources, energy potential and emerging industries to create opportunities for Namibians, strengthen local capacity and advance industrialisation.
Unstoppable Africa 2026 is the fifth edition of the Global Africa Business Initiative’s flagship event and is being held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.
The event is being held under the theme “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future.”
