The National Planning Commission (NPC) Director General, Dr. Kaire Mbuende, has said the Namibian government is fully committed to utilising all available energy sources in the country to boost electricity production and ultimately raise the standard of living of the people. Dr. Mbuende stated this during a meeting with a delegation from Belgium-based shipping and clean tech company, CMB.TECH Enterprises, who paid a courtesy visit to State House on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
According to Dr. Mbuende, energy is at the core of national development and poverty reduction efforts. He stressed that the government recognises the importance of reliable and affordable energy access for citizens and industries, and is ready to invest in multiple energy sources, including green energy, solar, hydroelectric power, green hydrogen, oil and gas, and in the long term, nuclear energy.
“Energy is a prerequisite for development and for creating a high standard of living for our people. That is why we are looking into maximising all our energy resources – solar, hydro, green hydrogen, oil and gas, and even nuclear – so that we can power our homes, industries, and schools more efficiently,” Dr. Mbuende said.
During the meeting, CMB.TECH Enterprises’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alexander Saverys, announced the company’s intention to invest in Namibia’s green hydrogen and green ammonia sector. He explained that their interest in Namibia is based on the country’s geographic location, political stability, and vast potential for clean energy production.
Mr. Saverys stated that his company, which operates a fleet of over 250 ships and is based in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium, is focused on reducing its carbon emissions by switching from fossil fuels to clean alternatives like hydrogen and ammonia. He said many of their ships currently run on diesel, which contributes to environmental pollution, and they are now actively exploring green energy as a cleaner fuel for the maritime sector.
He noted that while the global push for clean energy is gaining ground, the majority of the world’s hydrogen and ammonia are still produced using fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, which release harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. He stressed that CMB.TECH is committed to changing that narrative by promoting green hydrogen and ammonia produced through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and using seawater as a key input.
“Today, 99% of hydrogen and ammonia are produced in a dirty way, through combustion of fossil fuels. That must change. Our vision is to power our smaller ships with green hydrogen and the bigger ones with ammonia, both produced without polluting the environment. Namibia ticks all the right boxes for this kind of sustainable investment,” Mr. Saverys said.
He explained that Namibia’s long Atlantic coastline, its position on key African trade routes, and a stable government make it a strategic location for green energy production and export. Mr. Saverys also highlighted that as African countries continue to grow their populations and economies, energy demand will increase, creating a strong market for clean energy products.
He added that CMB.TECH sees Africa as a future energy hub, and Namibia could play a leading role in the production and export of green hydrogen and ammonia to meet global demand, especially for use in shipping and heavy industries.
Dr. Mbuende welcomed the proposed investment and assured the CMB.TECH team of the government’s support in creating a conducive environment for energy investors. He said Namibia is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s energy transition and is working with various partners to ensure long-term energy sustainability and economic growth.
Namibia has already taken significant steps in the clean energy space, with several green hydrogen projects in the pipeline. These include plans for large-scale green hydrogen production facilities in coastal areas, supported by both public and private sector investments.
The country is also tapping into partnerships with international financial institutions, energy companies, and development agencies to harness its solar and wind potential, and create jobs and business opportunities in the renewable energy value chain.
As countries around the world move towards cleaner energy sources, Namibia is seeking to secure its place on the map as a reliable and strategic supplier of green energy, contributing to both local development and global climate goals.
