Namibia positions to become Africa’s energy capital
Press Conference: Global African Hydrogen Summit 2024
Windhoek, Namibia – The Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S) received an official launch from Namibian Mines and Energy Minister, Honourable Tom Alweendo, in Windhoek. The event attracted representation from over 26 countries, bringing together stakeholders from various segments of the hydrogen sector value chain. This pioneering investment and multi-stakeholder engagement platform, the first of its kind on the continent, will take place from 3rd to 5th September 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.
Honourable Alweendo emphasized the inevitability of climate change and energy security challenges and underscored the critical role of climate innovation and decarbonization in shaping a sustainable future. He highlighted hydrogen as a key solution to Africa's energy needs, with Namibia positioned to play a pivotal role in driving towards net-zero emissions.
The Minister stressed the significance of partnerships and collaboration in tackling these challenges, stating, "We understand the importance of adopting a pan-African approach to engaging with the world, aiming to explore and capitalize on the value brought by the development and implementation of all carbon technologies contributing to the realization of green industrialization and sustainable growth for African economies."
Namibia stands strategically to become the sustainable energy capital of Africa, with the potential to produce green hydrogen at less than one and a half US dollars per kilogram. The country boasts abundant solar and wind resources, 46.7 million tons of sustainably harvestable biomass, and vast, sparsely populated landmass.
James Mnyupe, Green Hydrogen Commissioner of Namibia, welcomed the era of green industrialization in the country, noting that hydrogen serves as an accelerator towards the government's Vision 2030.
Nangula Uaandja, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, echoed the government's ambitions for green investments. She emphasized the importance of local content, skills development, youth engagement, and opportunities across the hydrogen value chain, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Africa holds the key to decarbonizing the global energy system through hydrogen made from renewables. However, there are numerous challenges, including financing, investment, infrastructure development, policy, regulation, standards, technology, and demand generation. Addressing these challenges requires partnerships and collaboration.
The Global African Hydrogen Summit aims to address these challenges by inclusively convening heads of state, ministers, government agencies, developers, investors, technologists, academia, youth, startups, end-users, and civil society. The Summit will facilitate collaboration, shape policy, drive critical investment and financing, and broker deals and project closures.
Themed "From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution," the three-day Summit will showcase pan-African project and investment opportunities across various sectors, including hydrogen, renewables, power, infrastructure, transportation, and mobility.
Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, through the Ministry of Mines & Energy, and supported by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, the summit is expected to attract over 2000 attendees from more than 65 global countries.
Hon. Alweendo extended an invitation to African countries and the rest of the world to participate in the Summit. He emphasized the importance of exchanging ideas and forging partnerships to unlock the full potential of renewable energy resources, enhance energy security on the continent, and beyond.
About The Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S) 2024
In its inaugural edition hosted in Namibia, the three-day Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S) will convene heads of state, government agencies, industry leaders, project developers, investors, thought leaders, and technologists from across Africa and around the globe. The Summit aims to drive critical investments and financing into bankable green energy projects across Africa, spanning hydrogen, renewables, power, infrastructure, transportation, and mobility.
The Summit will feature various engagement opportunities, including masterclasses, leadership dialogues, a strategic conference, investment roundtables, and an international exhibition and innovation hub.
Participation is expected from across the global energy value chain, including heads of state, ministers, bankable projects, delegates, youth, expert industry speakers, exhibitors, startups, and countries from around the globe.
For more information, contact:
Roshan Jan-Mahomed, Head of Marketing – Africa
Email: info@gah2s.com
Website: www.globalafricanhydrogensummit.com
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