Namibia pushes €20bn green hydrogen and $120m hydroponics projects to boost industry and food security

At the EU‑Namibia Business Summit, EU Ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins said Namibia is moving toward final investment decisions on flagship green hydrogen projects such as Hyphen Hydrogen Energy and Zhero, with a combined potential of €20 billion (about N$410 billion). The projects are part of Namibia’s strategy to become a global player in renewable energy, critical raw materials and green industrial products, backed by the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and a long‑standing trade surplus with the EU.

Separately, Namibian investors are financing a N$2.2 billion (US$120 million) hydroponics venture led by Nicole Maske’s Manta Ventures in partnership with Got Produce Namibia. The first one‑hectare greenhouse in Otavi is slated to start production in March 2026, aiming to double the country’s food output, halve imports and use 98 % less water. The plan calls for scaling to at least 56 hectares and an annual output of roughly 30,000 tonnes of fresh produce, keeping value creation within the domestic economy.