Namibia has identified 15 industries across four categories to manufacture renewable energy hardware, solar panels, copper cables, electrolysers, and wind turbines as part of its green industrialisation strategy.

In addition, there could be the processing of battery materials, rare earth elements, food, and the production of flat glass, aluminum, PVC, synthetic fuels, green fertilizer, hot briquettes iron, and ammonia bunkering.

A document, dated December 2023, shared by the presidential economic advisor and the green hydrogen commissioner, James Mnyupe, says the programs could start in early 2024.

The document is titled Green Manufacturing Strategy for Namibia (Final Report).

The document identifies four categories covering 15 industries, such as manufacturing renewable energy hardware, panels, copper cables, electrolysers, and wind turbines.

In addition, there could be the processing of battery materials, rare earth elements, food, and the production of flat glass, aluminum, PVC, synthetic fuels, green fertilizer, hot briquettes, and ammonia bunkering.

Namibia should expect to start and scale up solar panel manufacturing by 2030 after feasibility studies and engagements conducted in 2024.

According to the document, feasibility studies and engagements will be done on electrolysers, wind turbines, lithium refining, rare earth elements refining, flat glass production, synthetic fuel production, and hot-briquetted iron production in 2024.

These projects will be set up between 2025 and 2030, when production will start.

Flat glass manufacturing is expected to start before 2030, while the pilot HBI production could begin as early as 2024 and scale between 2025 and 2030.
Large-scale operations for all the projects could start between 2040 and 2050.

Writing on his LinkedIn page, Mnyupe said the elements of the green industrialization efforts are in accordance with President Hage Geingob’s New Year’s message, where he christened 2024 the ‘Year of Expectations’.

The document says Namibia has 12 unique minerals: diamonds, uranium, rare earth elements, and lithium. It also says Namibia has environmental advantages, including solar and wind capacity factors.

In addition, the document says Namibia is politically stable and has robust governance systems such as an independent judicial system, protection of property, and contractual rights, offering key advantages for investment.

Besides good physical infrastructure, the document says Namibia has available labour and skills in critical areas.

According to the document, Namibia has taken the first steps in developing a hydrogen industry and built-up crucial know-how and skills within government structures.

“The hydrogen industry can form a base for further opportunities both as a market for inputs—renewable energy hardware—and as a supplier into hydrogen derivatives production such as synthetic fuel and hot briquetted iron,” the document says.