Head: Impact & ESG:
- Could you tell us a bit about your career and the path that led you to the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme?
Working in the socio-economic transformation space is where I make the most impact. As a development economist, I navigate challenging data landscapes and socio-economic environments. Creating opportunities for Namibia in uncharted territories has been a constant in my career and my contributions to civil society development.
My journey began as a student researcher at the Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (NEPRU) in 1990. Together, we supported the new SWAPO-led Government by providing research to inform policies across multiple sectors, including agriculture, education, and trade. One of the key transformative initiatives I led was the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia (MCA Namibia) from 2009 until early 2015, when the programme concluded. Under MCA Namibia, social investments totalling USD 304.5 million were made in education, tourism, and agriculture, with the overarching goal of reducing poverty through economic growth. We achieved a remarkable 97% implementation rate.
Following this, I joined the Corporate Advisory Reform Unit (CARU) in the then Ministry of Public Enterprises. CARU aimed to strengthen the oversight of commercial public enterprises and enhance their economic performance and impact. During my tenure, the 2019 Public Enterprise Governance Act was introduced, creating a new governance system in which commercial public enterprises report to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises under a centralised model. We also implemented the Integrated Strategic Business Plan, a tool designed to improve accountability within public enterprises in Namibia.
Water is a scarce commodity in Namibia, and many Namibians lack access to safe and hygienic sanitation. Through Omuramba Impact Investing, a company I recently sold, I sought to address this crisis by promoting water-efficient sanitation solutions. The Enviro Loo toilet system, which Omuramba Impact Investing championed, is now being installed at rest stops in Etosha National Park, schools with limited water access, the Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site, remote industrial and monitoring sites and farms.
Having lived and worked in Namibia for over 30 years, this country is truly home. It should therefore come as no surprise that I applied to join the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P/Programme). The Green Hydrogen sector is new, challenging, and brimming with possibilities. If managed well, it has the potential to create transformative impacts for the Namibian people and the economy. I feel privileged to be part of the engine room where the ecosystem for private sector-led Green Hydrogen projects is being shaped and de-risked. It is a fast-paced and multifaceted work environment that constantly tests us.
My life motto has long been: ‘Give me a challenge, and I will run with it.’ For me, the NGH2P represents the right place at the right time.
In the simplest way possible, could you articulate what the role of Head: ESG and Impact at the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme entails?
As the Head of the Impact and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) business unit at the NGH2P, I am responsible for balancing socio-economic development and economic growth (impact) with safeguarding the environment and biodiversity, promoting social well-being and inclusion, as well as upholding good corporate governance.
A practical example of my work is environmental de-risking for the implementation of Green Hydrogen projects. This involves engagement on environmental and social performance standards and the execution of Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESAs) for each of the project corridors. The SESA provides a systematic, consultative framework to establish biodiversity and socio-economic development values in each region, while identifying and mapping potential sensitivities. The primary goal is to avoid any adverse impacts on the environment and biodiversity. Where avoidance is not feasible, mitigation measures are employed, and as a last resort, compensation is provided, which may involve rehabilitation efforts in other protected areas.
The SESA also considers the cumulative impacts of various activities in a given area. For instance, the Tsau //Khaeb National Park (TKNP) is a multi-use park hosting diverse activities, including active mining, mineral exploration, tourism and renewable energy generation. Planned developments in the park include a gas-to-energy pipeline, a gigawatt-scale Green Hydrogen facility and a 300MW wind farm. For these activities, project-level Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) are conducted to ensure responsible development practices.
Reflecting on 2024, what have been the greatest milestones in the context of ESG and Impact at the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme?
We all started at the Programme in February 2024, so it has been nearly ten months and counting. It is still a little early to speak about key milestones, but we have introduced the Green Hydrogen Strategy, the Green Industrialisation Blueprint and our approach to sustainable development to key stakeholders. Establishing meaningful relationships is essential for obtaining a ‘social license’ to operate.
Many Namibians were, and some still are, sceptical about Green Hydrogen and its potential for development. However, some of our highlights so far include participating in the Global African Hydrogen Summit, the Shared Energy Futures Workshop (organised by a coalition of Namibian and international civil society advocacy groups), a community meeting in Aus, the Lüderitz Stakeholders Conference, and the launch of the Youth Energy Forum. Through these engagements, we have shared ideas and insights, provided factual and honest responses to questions and involved diverse stakeholders, including youth, environmental and advocacy groups, traditional leaders, local authorities, as well as communities. These efforts have helped us build rapport, laying a foundation for deeper engagement in 2025 and beyond. We now have a solid understanding of the overall concerns of our stakeholders.
Another important focus has been tracking the early economic impacts of Green Hydrogen projects. We have developed a survey that Green Hydrogen operators use to submit data regularly. Although still a work in progress, this initiative will become formalised as the Green Hydrogen sector matures. Additionally, we are supporting in-depth analyses of employment and other economic impacts stemming from the Green Hydrogen sector and related production, such as green ammonia, direct reduced iron, baseload electricity and green ammonia-based fertiliser.
We are also in the process of contracting an international consultant with extensive experience in implementing SESAs. If everything goes according to plan, the SESA for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative (SCDI) will commence in early 2025. The SESA is expected to run for 12 months, with its recommendations ready in time to inform decision-making on the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project and other economic activities within the SCDI. The SESA for the Central Valley is scheduled to be commissioned early in 2025.
Conversely, what are the greatest challenges you have had to navigate?
The main challenge lies in the ‘newness’ of the sector, the rapid pace of developments, and the pressing ‘need for speed’ to remain an international frontrunner. This creates an obligation to bring our immediate stakeholders and the general public along with us in this whirlwind of information and technologies, Green Hydrogen applications and related products, market developments, health and safety considerations, environmental and biodiversity protection, and more.
It is our responsibility to inform those who wish to learn more about this rapidly emerging sector. We must also break down the value chains as they become clearer, enabling Namibians – both employed and unemployed, as well as business owners – to prepare themselves to participate in the sector.
When I joined the programme earlier this year, I had to quickly ‘green’ my skills, and I continue to learn something new every day. I am fortunate to be part of the NGH2P team, a multidisciplinary group that integrates expertise from diverse fields, including technical, financial, skills and enterprise development, legal, communication and project management.
Given that Green Hydrogen is a relatively new sector, what advice would you give to women considering a career in sustainability or ESG within the renewable energy sector?
My main advice is not to be intimidated by the ‘newness’ of this sector. Whatever skill set you have will be needed in this industry, as all aspects of sustainable development are relevant. Regular construction will still take place. People will need to be managed. Goods will need to be transported. Technical installations must be commissioned and maintained. The sector will require environmental and health and safety officers, planners, and monitoring and evaluation practitioners. Engineers and welders will also play a key role. The list is extensive.
In addition, specialised, sector-specific skills will be needed. If you already have a qualification, you might only need additional training or to enrol in a specialist vocational or postgraduate academic course. If you do not yet have a certificate, you can start by attending any vocational training centre or choosing a course that positions you for a role in this sector.
Beyond employment, consider the business opportunities within the Green Hydrogen value chains. Conduct research, position yourself, be proactive, and present your service or company profile to the projects already underway. It truly is an all-hands-on-deck effort to ensure Namibians – particularly women, youth, and the currently unemployed – can carve out space in the Green Hydrogen sector. It is also encouraging to note that at the NGH2P, we have five women executives leading the way.
Looking to the future, what are some of the emerging trends in ESG that you believe will shape the development of green hydrogen and other renewable energy initiatives in Namibia?
While the Namibian Constitution provides for the protection of the natural environment, and we have dedicated legislation for environmental management, I believe it is essential to align closely with international best practices for the Green Hydrogen sector. These include the Green Hydrogen Standard developed by the Swiss-based Green Hydrogen Organisation, the International Finance Corporation Performance Standards, and the Equator Principles, which are particularly relevant for all private-sector-driven projects.
Additionally, we must carefully consider project-on-project impacts and plan economic activities and infrastructure development across sectors to maximise the benefits derived from our land and other natural resources.
Consulting affected communities and incorporating their voices into decision-making processes is critical if we are to uphold the principles of a ‘just energy transition’ for Namibia. For instance, in transforming the town of Lüderitz and the Aus settlement to support those who will work in the Green Hydrogen sector, we must be deliberate about including existing residents, especially those living in high-density areas. When addressing job creation, it is vital to include Namibians with skills but no formal certification through ‘recognition of prior learning’ initiatives. Offering these individuals a second chance to achieve certification will ensure broader inclusion and empowerment.
