By Eliaser Ndeyanale

Copyright namibian

Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) head James Mnyupe is walking away from the country’s multibillion-dollar renewable energy dream, with claims of a lack of political will in the project.

Mnyupe was appointed by former president Hage Geingob as the country’s first green hydrogen commissioner in August 2021.

Mnyupe also served as presidential economic adviser from 2020 until May this year.

Since his appointment, he has been the face of Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions, repeatedly promising that the project could transform the economy.

But four years later, with Mnyupe’s exit, that vision now hangs in the balance.

“We will issue a press statement at an appropriate time,” NGH2P spokesperson Jona Musheko told The Namibian yesterday.

Mnyupe’s resignation comes amid reports of internal tensions and political interference, leaving behind a project built on promises of jobs, a reliable source says.

The Green Industrialisation Blueprint projected that the synthetic fuel strategy could create up to 250 000 jobs, with 185 000 direct jobs from building wind and solar farms, operating pipelines, and assembling electrolysers, and another 70 000 in supporting industries like concrete, metals, and business services.

Last month, Mnyupe was featured in a TedTalk YouTube video titled: ‘A Small Nation’s Surprising Solution to Unemployment’.Mnyupe did not respond to questions sent to him yesterday.

However, a source close to Mnyupe told The Namibian that he had been subjected to harassment by certain politicians involved in the project.

Geingob launched his signature energy project in 2021 to develop affordable renewable projects that would generate revenue and benefit local communities.

However, Geingob’s successor, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s plans suggests she is not the most ardent supporter of green hydrogen.

Sources reveal that when Nandi-Ndaitwah requested a progress and sustainability report last year from Mnyupe, it was allegedly sent via WhatsApp, which did not sit well with her.

The ambitious energy scheme was not included in her party manifesto which won her the elections.

One of the clearest signs of the programme’s downgrading came in February when Swapo leaders and government technocrats finalised the party’s manifesto implementation plan worth N$85.7 billion.

Green hydrogen was notably absent from the document. The Cabinet has since approved the implementation plan without a single mention of the phrase “green hydrogen”.

“The executive committee of green hydrogen proposed that Mnyupe be appointed as the chairperson of the Namibian Green Hydrogen Project. However, the proposal required Cabinet approval, which has not yet been granted,” the source says.

Mnyupe could soon be heading a new entity called African Sustainable Industrialisation Institute, a new “Centre of Excellence for Africa”, which is being proposed to be headquartered in Namibia, The Namibian understands.

Minister of industries, mines and energy Natangue Ithete last week issued a statement saying the proposed African Sustainable Industrialisation Institute is not hosted under the government.

Ithete said during the Green Hydrogen Summit hosted this month, reference was made to the proposed establishment of the African Sustainable Industrialisation Institute.

He said this has reportedly raised concerns and uncertainty among several funding partners regarding the governance of the proposed institution and the position of the government.

“While the government welcomes the establishment of such an institute as a private initiative, it is not part of, nor connected to NGH2P.

The green hydrogen programme remains a government-led strategic priority and a cornerstone of Namibia’s vision to harness renewable resources for industrial development,” he said.

Ithete said Namibia’s government remains unwavering in its commitment to green industrialisation, as outlined in the sixth National Development Plan.

Mnyupe has been instrumental in securing high-level international interest and investment in Namibia’s green hydrogen industry.

This includes major projects such as Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s multibillion-dollar initiative in the Tsau //Khaeb National Park, as well as smaller pilot projects like Cleanergy and the Dâures Green Hydrogen Village.

According to Namibia’s green hydrogen report released in July, the sector attracted investment worth N$2 billion since its inception.

“Namibia’s green hydrogen sector is already delivering meaningful employment outcomes. To date, more than 800 Namibians have been employed across pilot and early-stage projects,” the report reads.

According to the report, approximately N$170 million has been channelled towards local small and medium enterprises in the green hydrogen field.

Mnyupe’s appointment as green hydrogen commissioner was met with criticism, especially from Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters leader Epaphras Mukwiilongo.

In 2022, Mukwiilongo asked Geingob why he appointed a “foreigner”to spearhead the green hydrogen project.

At the time Geingob responded “Namibia is governed by the United Nations. Firstly, I am a pan-African.

It really hurts me as a pan-African to hear somebody being called a foreigner. However, he (Mnyupe) is not a foreigner.

“Yes, he was not born here, but he went to school here. He has full Namibian citizenship. He is originally from Tanzania.”