Africa-Press – Namibia. Józef Sikela (JS), the European Union (EU) commissioner for international partnerships has been in Namibia for the past three days, familiarising himself with the country and cementing the role that the EU plays in Namibia.
New Era’s Paheja Siririka (PS) had an elaborate discussion with Sikela, looking at specific priorities of his visit, a thorough description of the EU-Namibia partnership, and a discourse on the Critical Raw Materials and Green Hydrogen drive, among others.
PS: Commissioner, how would you describe the EU–Namibia partnership?
JS: For me, the success of what we have managed together as the EU and Namibia is one of the very best examples of good cooperation between EU and our partners. This year, we celebrate 35 years of partnership between the EU and Namibia. I believe we built on trust, shared values, but also real results. Namibia is a strong democracy with stable institutions. That makes our cooperation natural. What I see today is that we are building a partnership on mutual benefits, which focuses on concrete projects based on our shared priorities. That is what our Global Gateway is about. Together, we invest in opportunities for both Namibia and Europe to turn the significant potential that Namibia has into jobs, growth and local value. To give you one figure: the EU has mobilised around N$25 billion in investments in Namibia. It is expected to attract more than N$400 billion in private investment. That is nearly twice Namibia’s gross domestic product. It shows the scale of what we can achieve together.
PS: What specific priorities are you focusing on during your visit to Namibia?
JS: First, to reaffirm how much Europe values Namibia as a democratic partner, but also as a country with incredible potential. Second, to show that the EU is fully behind Namibia’s own priorities: creating jobs for young people, ensuring access to clean and affordable energy, and leading the way in the development of Namibia’s clean industry. Third, to demonstrate what we call the 360-degree approach. It means we do not just build infrastructure but also invest in skills, training and stronger institutions so that we create a lasting, long-term development.
Fourth, I want to showcase what we can build together. Because my programme will be focused on concrete Global Gateway projects. Together with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, I will inaugurate the Cleanergy Solutions project in Walvis Bay, which marks the start of green ammonia production. It is a big step for Namibia’s clean industry. We will also hold a signing ceremony for the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology. There, we are working on an IGNITE GH2 programme. It will re-skill 700 unemployed graduates and train 40 instructors so that Namibia has the skilled workforce it needs for this new economy.
This combination of infrastructure, jobs and education is how we turn potential into real opportunities for people.
PS: How will cooperation on Critical Raw Materials and Green Hydrogen drive Namibia’s green industrialisation and job creation?
JS: Namibia has some of the best natural conditions in the world for renewable energy and it is very rich in critical raw materials. But what matters most is that these resources are used to create value and new opportunities on the ground here in Namibia. This is what our partnership must focus on – on local value and local jobs. A good example is the HyIron project in Arandis. It is Africa’s first zero-emission green iron plant using hydrogen produced here in Namibia. At full scale, it will produce 1 million tonnes of iron every year, cut almost 1.8 million tonnes of CO2, and create thousands of jobs – around 6 000 in construction and 900 permanent jobs. Already, more than 60 Namibian small and medium enterprises have been involved in the project. This is how we see a mutually beneficial partnership: innovative infrastructure, creating jobs in Namibia and contributing to Europe’s clean transition.
PJ: How does the EU’s Global Gateway agenda align with Namibia’s own sustainable development goals?
JS: I see Global Gateway and Namibia’s plans – Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan – as very much aligned. Both are about jobs, inclusion and resilience. One example is the transformation of Walvis Bay port. With support from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, we are preparing a master plan to make it a major hub for green hydrogen exports and logistics. Partnerships with the Port of Rotterdam and Port of Sinesare will create new green corridors from Namibia to Europe. This will open new markets, connect Namibia with global partners and create jobs in logistics and shipping.
PS: What other areas of cooperation does the EU have with Namibia and the region?
JS: Our cooperation is much broader than hydrogen or raw materials. In education, we have helped establish vocational centres in Nakayale, Eenhana and Valombola, giving thousands of young Namibians practical skills in agriculture, construction and renewable energy.
In agriculture, we are investing in infrastructure in the Northern Communal Areas to improve livestock productivity and help farmers adapt to climate change.
The goal is to connect farmers not only to local but also to regional and international markets. We also support governance and social issues. We work with the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia, and we fund campaigns against gender-based violence, together with the United Nations.
On conservation, we support the Kavango-Zambezi trans frontier area, protecting biodiversity while creating opportunities for local communities. In times of crisis, such as the recent drought, the EU supported Namibia’s emergency response.
Finally, regionally, we work through the Southern African Development Community and the African Union on peace, security and cross-border infrastructure. Namibia’s ports make it a natural driver of regional integration. We want to help strengthen that role.
PS: How does Namibia exemplify the EU’s commitment to democratic governance, climate resilience and sustainable development?
JS: For me, Namibia is a perfect showcase that democracy, human rights, the rule of law and sustainability go hand in hand with economic growth and new opportunities.
Together with Namibia, we do not just talk about climate action, but we act. We turn it into an innovative industry of the future. By developing projects like the Cleanergy Solutions hydrogen facility in Walvis Bay or the HyIron plant in Arandis, together with Namibia, we demonstrate real leadership on clean industrialisation. At the same time, we protect some of the world’s most unique biodiversity – for example, in the Kavango-Zambezi conservation area. This combination of democracy, sustainability and innovation makes Namibia an excellent partner for the EU.
PS: What steps is the EU taking to ensure its investments in Namibia create inclusive growth and local content?
JS: We make sure our investments translate into real opportunities for Namibians. That is why our projects are linked to skills training, jobs and opportunities for local businesses.
Through IGNITE GH2 at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology, we are re-skilling 700 unemployed graduates and training 40 instructors so that young Namibians can take up jobs in the hydrogen sector. The TIDRET solar programme brings clean electricity to vulnerable households – 70% of them women-headed — showing that the green transition must be inclusive.
PS: Looking ahead, what are the EU’s long-term priorities for its partnership with Namibia?
JS: Looking to the future, I want Namibia to become Africa’s leader for clean industry with local value chains that generate quality jobs, boost businesses and drive growth.
Europe is already Namibia’s number one trading partner, with a positive trade balance for Namibia. But we want to go further. Our long-term priorities are clear: To work together on clean and sustainable industries that create local value and strengthen education and skills so young people can shape their future. All this is with strong focus on democratic institutions, anti-corruption efforts and the fight against gender-based violence. Ultimately, our vision is simple: for Namibia to thrive as a sovereign, prosperous partner that offers opportunities to its people and contributes to regional and global stability.
PS: What message would you like to pass to the people of Namibia?
JS: Europe believes in the potential of EU-Namibia partnership. Your country has everything it takes -natural resources, democratic values and human talent to lead Africa’s clean industrialisation. We have what is needed to support this ambitious goal. Together with Namibia, we will turn your potential into concrete opportunities. Together, we can build a partnership that will not only bring jobs and opportunities here but also inspire the rest of Africa.
PS: How does the EU plan to ensure that its partnerships with Namibia translate into tangible, sustainable development outcomes for local communities, particularly in areas like education, health and rural development?
JS: For us, the real measure of our partnership is whether it brings new benefits to the people on their daily lives. That is why we always link our big investments with human development. Alongside flagship projects in green hydrogen and critical raw materials, we fund programmes in education, training, gender equality and support for civil society. This is our 360-degree approach: making sure the green transition creates real opportunities for young Namibians and their communities. We also believe strongly that trade is a driver of development. By opening markets, strengthening value chains and supporting fair and sustainable business practices, trade creates jobs, boosts incomes and brings in investment. In the end, this also means more revenue for the government to provide public services in education, health and rural development. Our goal is clear: economic growth must go hand in hand with social progress.
PS: What strategies are in place for the EU to balance its development assistance with the promotion of democratic governance, transparency and human rights in partner countries like Namibia?
JS: For us, development and democracy always go together. All our partnerships, including with Namibia, are built on respect for human rights, democratic values and the rule of law. That means our support is not only about projects, but also about stronger institutions, more transparency and civic participation. A good example is our recent €2 million EU grant to strengthen transparency, community engagement and environmental governance in the hydrogen and extractive sectors. The programme brings together partners like DW Akademie, Namibia Development Trust and the Namibia Nature Foundation, making sure communities and civil society can hold decision-makers accountable and have a real say in how these new industries develop.
PS: What role does the EU see for Namibia in advancing regional integration within SADC, and how can EU support help foster cross-border infrastructure and trade initiatives?
JS: The EU is itself a regional union, so we know how important integration is. We strongly support SADC, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Through our Economic Partnership Agreement with six SADC countries, including Namibia, we already have a strong trade framework that gives access to EU markets and promotes regional value chains. Namibia, with its ports and strategic location, is especially well placed to drive this integration. Right now, we are supporting discussions between Namport and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges on developing the North Port area of Walvis Bay into an industrial hub, including for hydrogen. We are also working with the Port of Rotterdam on the expansion of Lüderitz. Under Global Gateway, we are backing strategic corridors, such as Walvis Bay–Maputo, which will strengthen connectivity, boost intra-African trade and allow the region to fully benefit from the AfCFTA.
Source: neweralive
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