Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe says the government has shifted the focus to the next phase of establishing the Synthetic Fuels sector by sourcing and reviewing existing legislation and policies globally to ensure efficient market competitiveness.
He said the team has already enlisted the help of 10 experts from reputable institutions like UCT and Oxford, as well as legal and technical experts from around the world.
“The primary objective is to craft a robust bill that aligns Namibia’s green hydrogen strategy with international best practices. With a first draft already in place, the team is determined to expedite the bill’s crafting, reviewing, and eventual passage through parliament,” he said.
To ensure a streamlined process, Mnyupe highlighted the importance of engaging the legislative arm of the government as soon as possible.
“A recent presentation in Swakopmund served as a platform to update parliament on the bill’s progress and seek their feedback regularly. Committed to meeting their obligations under the FIA (Foreign Investment Act), the government aims to enact legislation that regulates the synthetic fuel industry in Namibia, fostering an environment that encourages dynamism, competition, and innovation,” he said.
The Commissioner emphasised the rapid growth and competitiveness of the green hydrogen industry, highlighting the need for legislative support and the establishment of a synthetic fuels bill.
“Through strategic partnerships, robust negotiations, and engagement with experts and government bodies, Namibia aims to develop a regulatory framework that promotes a competitive and dynamic synthetic fuel industry. By capitalising on international support and leveraging the nation’s natural resources, Namibia can position itself as a key player in the global green hydrogen market,” he said.
Mnyupe shed light on the developments in the United States, Europe, Australia, and other nations, showcasing the significant capital investments being made to propel this emerging sector forward.
Mnyupe acknowledged that tackling the challenges of this evolving industry would require collaborative efforts.
Recognising the limited resources available, his team has partnered “with the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), a branch of the African Development Bank, to facilitate negotiations and secure expertise. To date, we have invested two and a half million US dollars in fees paid to experts, generously granted by the ALSF, to negotiate a comprehensive agreement spanning over 120 pages,” he said.
Furthermore, Mnyupe underscored the global community’s desire to support Namibia’s efforts, especially considering the fierce competition from countries like Australia and the United States.
He emphasised the need for Namibia to secure its position in the industry, citing the significant subsidies provided by these nations, amounting to billions of US dollars each year.
In contrast, Namibia’s national budget for hydrogen development currently stands at zero.
Mnyupe urged “the Namibian people to understand the strategic nature of these investments as the government has yet to allocate its own funds to the project. Instead,we have leveraged grants from ALSF, the European Union, the German government, and the Dutch government”.
Highlighting the global demand for green hydrogen, Mnyupe explained that other nations support Namibia’s endeavours because they require the product to meet their decarbonisation targets.
Mnyupe stressed the importance of Namibia’s ability to produce synthetic fuels, which can align with global decarbonisation efforts and address the implications of the carbon border adjustment mechanism.
