The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme has allocated N$25 million to fund a dedicated scholarship initiative for the ||Kharas and Hardap regions, following a low number of applicants from those areas during the programme’s first intake.
James Mnyupe, Head of the Green Hydrogen Programme, confirmed that the funds were handed over to the Office of the Vice President in early May as part of a promise made by the late President Hage Geingob.
“In early mid-May, the Programme visited our Vice President’s office, delivering about N$25 million for a scholarship programme for the ||Kharas and Hardap regions — a promise that was made by our late President H.G. Geingob after various requests from regional heads for a bespoke intervention,” Mnyupe said.
The scholarship fund was developed in partnership with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL). It will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. The first student intake is expected in July 2025.
Mnyupe said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote green industrialisation and economic diversification in Namibia.
He also highlighted Namibia’s participation in the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Rotterdam, where Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne presented the country’s green hydrogen plans to more than 15,000 international delegates.
“Under her guidance, we managed to advance our ambitions to develop two port platforms envisioned for Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, both of which feature prominently in our ruling party’s manifesto and its corresponding implementation plan, on page 43 under the list of priority projects for our transport and logistics sector,” Mnyupe said.
He further announced that Namibia’s application to the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Industry Decarbonisation Programme was recently ranked third globally and first in Africa, a milestone that could unlock significant investment.
“This opportunity will enable Namibia to attract systemic foreign direct investment into new sectors in Namibia that promise to diversify our economy, add value to our minerals and those of our neighbours, create jobs and deliver strategic gross fixed capital formation for SADC,” Mnyupe said.
