Green Investment Dialogue Hosted in Walvis Bay, Namibia
Key Focus of the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue
Parliamentarians and energy leaders from six African countries recently convened in Walvis Bay for the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue. This three-day event, held from 10 to 13 July 2025, centered on mobilizing climate finance for Green Energy Zones and Corridors across Southern and East Africa. The gathering highlights a growing emphasis on sustainable development and the transition toward low-carbon economies.
Namibia is increasingly recognized as a regional leader in green initiatives, drawing investment in renewable fuels and positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s green industrialization. As demand for low-carbon infrastructure rises, green hydrogen is emerging as a strategic opportunity for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The dialogue was organized with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and hosted by the Climate Parliament and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Delegations from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe participated in the discussions, underscoring the collaborative approach needed to drive meaningful change.
The Role of Green Hydrogen in Africa's Future
According to the Climate Parliament’s Secretary General, Sergio Missana, green hydrogen has the potential to reshape energy systems and industrial value chains. He emphasized that this is a decisive moment for Africa, with parliamentarians coming together to understand how legislation, planning, and finance can translate these opportunities into reality.
The dialogue included field visits to two of Namibia’s leading green hydrogen initiatives: Cleanergy Solutions Namibia and Hyiron Oshivela. These sites serve as practical examples of how targeted investment in green energy infrastructure can create new value chains while reducing emissions and energy costs.
Cleanergy Solutions Namibia is developing the country’s first green hydrogen refuelling station, aimed at supporting clean transport and local energy use. Meanwhile, HyIron Oshivela, the world’s first industrial-scale green iron production facility, is powered entirely by solar- and wind-generated hydrogen. These projects demonstrate the potential for innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.
Policy and Economic Impacts
James Mnyupe, Head of Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Programme, highlighted the critical role policymakers play in accelerating socioeconomic emancipation. He expressed optimism about fostering a progressive dialogue with like-minded peers globally, aiming to uplift the living conditions of people across the continent.
Green Energy zones and corridors are emerging as powerful tools for industrial development, improving energy access, and achieving climate goals. These zones operate within a flexible framework that requires minimal changes to national legislation, making them an attractive option for many African countries.
With over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lacking reliable electricity, green zones can help fast-track investment in renewable energy and infrastructure, while also stimulating local economies. Concentrating clean energy and green industry in strategic locations helps reduce risk, attract capital, and unlock export potential.
Key Sessions and Future Directions
Sessions at the dialogue focused on several critical areas, including climate finance instruments to de-risk private investment; policy and regulatory pathways for developing green zones and corridors; community-led clean energy initiatives; planning tools to support national and county-level implementation; and strategies for scaling Namibia’s early leadership in green hydrogen.
This event marked the final stage of a series of regional Green Investment Dialogues under the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance project. Previous dialogues were held in Morocco earlier this year, indicating a continued commitment to advancing climate finance and sustainable development across the continent.
As the conversation around green energy and sustainable development continues to gain momentum, events like the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue play a crucial role in shaping the future of Africa’s energy landscape.
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