Africa-Press – Namibia. Around N$25 million was secured for the third call for applications for the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship programme, Vice President Lucia Witbooi announced.
Witbooi officially launched the third call for Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship fund for TVET programmes in Gibeon on Wednesday, targeting youth from the Hardap and //Kharas regions.
The programme is funded by the Namibian Government through the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), a collaborative effort with the Federal Republic of Germany, which provides financial support.
This marks not only a significant investment in the country’s young people but also a powerful step forward in ensuring that the opportunities of the green hydrogen economy reach all corners of the Namibian nation, especially those historically left behind.
“As we reflected on the outcomes of those first two rounds, it became clear that we still had work to do to ensure equitable access, particularly for the youth of the Hardap and //Kharas regions, and it is, therefore, with great pride, that I announce the launch of the 3rd call for applications for a targeted skills development scholarship programme, for which we have secured N$25 million, dedicated specifically to supporting students from these two regions,” Witbooi said.
The VP then emphasised that Namibia is in an optimal location to be a globally competitive producer of green hydrogen and its derivatives. She added, “We have the potential to become a global hub for clean energy production, a leader in green exports and a beacon for sustainable industrialisation on the African continent.”
In her remarks, education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the Green Hydrogen Scholarship programme is more than a financial commitment.
“It is a national response to both a global call for cleaner energy and a local demand for skills, equity and economic participation,” said Steenkamp.
The career educator continued: “We gather here today in Gibeon not merely to launch a scholarship programme, but to open the doors of transformation for our youth, as today marks a new chapter, one of empowerment, inclusion and future-readiness.”
In his contribution, Florian Seitz, deputy ambassador for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Namibia, said it was indeed an honour for him to open another chapter in the successful cooperation between his country and Namibia. “Your country is one of those having great potential for the production of green hydrogen,” he added. The dignitary also said that answering the 3rd call for scholarships marks another milestone in the two countries’ joint journey towards sustainable growth for the future.
Also speaking at the event was Hardap Regional Council’s management committee chairperson, Gerson Dausab, who emphasised that it is opportune for Namibia to grab the opportunities related to the production of green hydrogen. “We, as a country, now need to expedite decision-making processes so that we are in an advanced position when things start to happen,” he advised.
Additionally, //Kharas Regional Council’s chairperson, Joseph Isaacks, said, “This will ensure that our children will be absorbed in economic opportunities that will be derived from the upcoming green hydrogen production,” he added.
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