Hyphen Energy developing green hydrogen talent in Namibia

From the newsletter

A local company, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, has signed an MoU with the government of Hardap region for the development of green hydrogen skills and capacity development of Namibians. The partnership aims to upskill youth, starting in Hardap, with plans to extend training to the Karas region, fostering a workforce ready for emerging green energy opportunities.

• Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, coupled with abundant wind and solar resources, positions the continent as a future global leader in green hydrogen production. However, a critical challenge lies in the lack of local expertise needed to support and sustain commercial-scale green hydrogen projects. 

• The Hyphen initiative plays a pivotal role in bridging the skills gap, directly linking technical training to industry demand. By prioritising local workforce development, the programme enhances youth employability, reduces reliance on foreign expertise, and strengthens the region’s capacity to sustain and expand green hydrogen operations.

More details

• Hyphen is developing Namibia’s first and largest green hydrogen project — the Hyphen Hydrogen Project. Located in Tsau-Khaeb National Park, in southwestern Namibia, the $10 billion project aims to produce 2 million tons per annum (mta) of green ammonia for export by 2030. The project is expected to create up to 15,000 new jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent jobs during its operation, with a target of around 90% of these jobs filled by Namibians.

• The MoU was signed on February 25th, with high-level regional government and community representatives in attendance. In a statement, Hyphen acknowledged the existing skills gap in the country and the need to bridge it to improve local youth employability.

• “Our goal is to ensure that local talent is well-equipped to seize the opportunities emerging from implementing the Hyphen project,” said Toni Beukes, Head of Environment, Social, and Governance at Hyphen.

• The Governor of the Hardap region, Solomon April, described the signing of the MoU as a “milestone”, stating that it “marks the beginning of preparing the otherwise demoralised youth of the region to receive education in the form of skills development, allowing them to confidently participate in the new fledgling economies in the south.”

• Following the MoU signing, Hyphen and the regional council will establish a working group to explore innovative areas of cooperation and develop strategic initiatives to advance skills development and capacity building in Hardap.

• Namibia is not alone in its pursuit of a green energy workforce. In 2024, South Africa launched the Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation, bringing together the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA), Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA), and Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) to upskill and reskill individuals for the green hydrogen industry.

• Kenya is also advancing capacity building through collaborations like the GIZ-supported Green Hydrogen Economy project, which works with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to train educators on Power-to-X (PtX) technologies. Meanwhile, Morocco has established renewable energy training centers to equip local populations with the skills needed to support the country’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

• Regional and international collaborations further reinforce these efforts. Strathmore University in Kenya partnered with Curtin and Griffith Universities in Australia to launch the Africa Green Hydrogen Hub, fostering research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. In Egypt, the British University of Egypt and Coventry University in the UK launched the Hydrogen Technology for a Green Future: Strengthening Transnational Education and Curriculum Development project, which trains specialists in hydrogen production, storage, and transport.

• Additionally, the British Council is funding international skills partnerships between UK and South African institutions to develop renewable energy skills, with a specific focus on hydrogen fuel cell technology. 

Our take

• The training collaboration extends beyond energy production to drive community transformation by equipping local youth with the skills to thrive in the green economy, fostering increased political buy-in and stronger community support for the projects.

• The Hyphen training initiative could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across Africa. By demonstrating the economic and social value of investing in human capital, it may attract more investors by showcasing long-term project stability and reducing local resistance.

• Beyond national borders, Namibia’s green hydrogen talent pipeline could position the country as a continental knowledge hub. As more African countries pursue clean energy, Namibian-trained specialists could support projects across the region, accelerating the continent’s collective energy transition and fostering greater regional integration.