On Friday 19 September, the European Union announced a €1.3 billion package of loans and grants for Namibia, at the end of a four-day mission to the country by the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, accompanied by a delegation of nine MEPs.
The funds will be used to attract more than €20 billion in potential private investment and to support Namibia’s first large-scale solar-powered renewable hydrogen plant.
“This project is the beginning of green hydrogen and ammonia production in Namibia. It will help position Namibia as a leader in green hydrogen, and strengthen trade and innovation links with Europe” said Mr Síkela.
The result of a collaboration between a Belgian company and a Namibian parent company, with support from the German Federal Ministry of Research, this project is a new cornerstone in the strategic partnership between the EU and this South-West African country.
The partners also announced investments to support the ‘Ignite GH2’ project, which aims to increase the employability of around 700 unemployed graduates in emerging energy sectors.
“Cooperation on technology, skills and education is one of the key pillars of the Global Gateway philosophy, one which is vital in supporting local development that reaches as many people in society as possible. Parliament has always been, and will remain, a strong advocate of support for education and training in EU international partnerships”, emphasised the chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development (DEVE), Barry Andrews (Renew Europe, Irish). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)