Namibia Inaugures Africa’s First Green Hydrogen Facility

Namibia inaugurated Africa’s first integrated green hydrogen facility, located in Walvis Bay.

The event brought together national leaders, European dignitaries, industry stakeholders and the local community to mark a major milestone in Namibia’s clean energy journey and its growing role as a logistics and energy hub for Africa.

Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, a joint venture between Belgian hydrogen technology company CMB.TECH and Namibia’s Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, will operate the facility, which includes:

• A solar-powered, fully off-grid electrolyser that produces green hydrogen;
• A refuelling station for hydrogen-powered vehicles and industrial applications;
• A Hydrogen Academy, dedicated to training local professionals in hydrogen technologies

“As Head of State, I reaffirm my government’s commitment to support initiatives that advance our green hydrogen agenda, create jobs, and secure long-term prosperity for Namibia. My government is committed to continuously improve the ease of doing business to ensure that projects of this magnitude succeed and multiply. This inauguration is not the end of a journey but the beginning of a new chapter in Namibia’s industrial and developmental transformation. Together, we are laying the foundations for an economy that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.”

Said the Prime Minister in the keynote speech.

The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, represented by Florian Seitz, Deputy Head of the German Embassy, has contributed to the project. Both the European Commission and the European Parliament were present at the ceremony with a joint delegation.

“This innovative European–Namibian project proves that our partnership delivers: it creates new jobs, provides training opportunities for young Namibians, and supports local SMEs. We support the development of Namibia’s green hydrogen industry with our Global Gateway strategy. The EU has already mobilised €1.3 billion (NAD 25 billion) in loans and grants, spurring over €20 billion (NAD 400 billion) in potential private investments. Together we are building Namibia’s green industrialisation.”

Said Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships.

The new facility, echoing the sentiments of Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH,  marks a proud milestone for all parties involved and is the result of a true international collaboration. The Namibian ambition and the European innovation (he continues) merged to create a model for sustainable energy and a true symbol of the strong African-European ties.

In 2026, the hydrogen activities (now related to road transport, off-road applications, and off-grid power generation) should be expanded into rail and maritime applications. A diesel locomotive is already being retrofitted to run on hydrogen, strengthening Namibia’s railway capacity and supporting operations linked to Walvis Bay. At the same time, a dual-fuel hydrogen-powered harbour vessel is under construction in the Netherlands and will be deployed at Walvis Bay port next year. Both will be fuelled by locally produced green hydrogen, delivered via a 500-bar mobile refueller to ensure flexible use across the country.

 

During the inauguration event, Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare also refuelled Namibia’s first hydrogen-powered bus. The bus serves as a mobile educational platform, demonstrating the full green hydrogen value chain and supporting local awareness.

Namibia Inaugures Africa’s First Green Hydrogen Facility published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.