Namibia leverages position to capture green fuels market
Back-to-back workshops strengthen national strategy
NAMIBIA: Namibia took a decisive step toward becoming Africa's clean shipping pioneer last week, hosting two high-stakes workshops that brought together international maritime officials, financiers, and port authorities to plot the continent's decarbonisation future.
The timing is strategic. Namibia is leveraging its renewable energy potential and geographic position to capture first-mover advantage in the green fuels market.
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) participated in the two interlinked regional workshops which culminated in a signing ceremony to support the extension of Angra Point in the Port of Lüderitz which aims to advance critical port infrastructure for future clean-fuel operations.
Addressing the first workshop hosted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), MTCC Africa and Namport, the GMN II (Global MTCC Network Phase II), Dr Witness Martin of the NGH2P outlined the government’s approach to shape fiscal policy and attract foreign investment.
He also previewed the Programme’s Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan (s-TIP) under the Climate Investment Funds’ Industry Decarbonisation Program (CIF-IDP) which seeks to help public and private actors establish the facilities and common-user infrastructure needed to produce, transport and bunker clean molecules for green port operations.
The workshop brought together senior officials and technical experts from across the continent including representatives from governments, port authorities, financiers, fuel developers and innovators. Discussions centred around energy efficient technologies and port operations; clean shipping fuels; access to climate finance as well as the need to build gender inclusivity across the maritime value chain.
The second workshop, which was hosted by Port of Rotterdam in collaboration with Global Gateway, the European Commission, and Namport, the Africa Regional Workshop on Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors (GGGSC), set out the initiative’s scope and objectives, drawing on feasibility and pre-feasibility studies led by the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping.
During the session, the European Union, the Port of Rotterdam and Namport held a signing ceremony for “Support for the Extension of Angra Point in the Port of Lüderitz, Namibia,” aimed at advancing critical port infrastructure for future clean-fuel operations.
The event also showcased commitments and ongoing initiatives by project developers and stakeholders supporting maritime decarbonisation in Namibia. The EU underscored Global Gateway’s role in linking renewable-fuel production with a network of refuelling ports and routes, and highlighted financing pathways involving European and African development finance institutions to catalyse investment in green shipping infrastructure.
The twin workshops addressed four critical enablers: energy-efficient port technologies, climate finance accessibility, regulatory alignment to attract foreign investment, and skills development—with particular emphasis on including women and youth in maritime transition jobs.
Port authorities, fuel developers, and government officials from across Africa participated, signalling regional recognition that Namibia's infrastructure investments could catalyse broader continental shipping transformation.
The message was clear: Namibia isn't waiting for the green shipping revolution—it's building the ports to make it happen.
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