Despite Namibia’s recent strides in green hydrogen, the nascent sector remains widely misunderstood.
According to Ricardo Goagoseb, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s Communications and Stakeholder Relations Lead, the project requires clear, long-term communication and policy engagement.
Goagoseb emphasised the need to engage local governance structures and community voices in national projects.
“It is important to use the established structures. Go to the people, through the structures, because when you work through structures, you empower not just the authorities, but the leadership that the people choose,” he stated.
He stressed the long-term vision of the project, especially for Namibia’s youth, who make up over 70% of the population.
“This is not for us. This is for our children and their children. If we get the communications and policy engagement wrong now, they will pay the price later.”
Addressing the issue of equity and inclusion, Goagoseb pointed to a communication gap after only one out of 107 green hydrogen scholarships went to a student from southern Namibia.
“That signaled a disconnect,” he said, which led to the decision to appoint Community Relations Managers in the southern regions.
He noted that although Hyphen has funded about 300 Namibians for master’s and PhD studies in fields like chemical engineering and green energy, this has not been clearly communicated.
Many are unaware that the scholarship program is in its third round, underscoring the responsibility of leaders to share this information effectively.
Hyphen signed a $10 billion feasibility and implementation agreement with the Namibian government in May 2023 for the project in the Tsau Khaeb National Park. The project aims to create 15,000 construction jobs and 3,000 operational jobs, with about 90% of jobs going to Namibians, while transforming the country into a global renewable energy leader.
Goagoseb clarified that no taxpayer money was used for the government’s 24% equity stake in the project, as it was financed through international grants.
“The only place where public funds have been used, for example, is the establishment of the green energy program, where governance structures must be there and those structures cannot be paid for by private capital. That’s a story we must tell to avoid misinformation,” he explained.
As the government continues its nationwide stakeholder engagements, Goagoseb urged communicators to bridge the gap between policy and the public.
“Speak the languages people understand. Use the platforms they trust. Translate, localise, and humanise the message. Only then will the green hydrogen dream truly belong to the people,” he said.
