As the world debates sustainable development beyond 2030, many Africans ask: transition from what, and to what? For Europe, the green transition is understandably framed through decarbonisation, energy security and industrial competitiveness. For Namibia, and much of Africa, it remains a transition from exclusion to participation, and from resources to prosperity.
Hyphen Selected for $5.93 Million Funding Support from the African Development Bank to Advance Namibia’s Flagship Green Hydrogen Project
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It hasn’t. The scale-up has been slower than the early hype promised, but the underlying fundamentals that position Namibia as a major emerging supplier remain unchanged. If anything, it has strengthened. To understand why, it helps to look for the signal amongst the market noise, to the direction that the global energy system is actually heading.
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Namibia, 22 September 2026 – Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) is pleased to announce that the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has selected Hyphen for a prospective US$5.93 million reimbursable grant under the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa’s (SEFA) Africa Green Hydrogen Programme. This additional grant selection extends the relationship between AfDB and Hyphen, building on the previously announced US$10 million reimbursable grant announced on December 9th, 2025. The grant will contribute towards the development of the project up to Final Investment Decision (FID).
Hyphen was selected is one of four projects following a highly competitive process under the Africa Green Hydrogen Programme’s Call for Proposals, which received 81 submissions across 18 African countries. AfDB’s selection of Hyphen underscores the Bank’s confidence in the project’s maturity, strategic importance, and bankability. It is also the largest allocation among the selected green hydrogen initiatives across the African continent.
This partnership underscores the vital role of multilateral development finance institutions in collaborating with private developers to catalyze transformative green infrastructure in Africa. At full development, Hyphen’s landmark project in Namibia will feature approximately 7 GW of renewable generation capacity and three GW of electrolyzer capacity. The project targets producing two million tonnes of green ammonia annually for regional and global markets, including sustainable fuels for shipping and aviation with FID for the first phase of one million tonnes per annum targeted by the end of 2027.
Marco Raffinetti, CEO of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, said: “Hyphen is delighted to have been selected under the African Development Bank’s Africa Green Hydrogen Programme. This selection is a major endorsement of our project’s quality, rigor, and advanced maturity. Strategic backing from African and international lending institutions is vital as we advance through this crucial project preparation phase toward FID. Together with our partners and the Government of Namibia, we remain focused on delivering a world-class green hydrogen hub that drives local socio-economic growth, creates jobs, and positions Namibia as a global leader in the energy transition.”
Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, stated: “Africa’s exceptional renewable energy resources give the continent a unique opportunity to become a competitive player in the emerging global green hydrogen and derivatives market. Through the SEFA-funded AGHP, the African Development Bank is helping to move high-potential projects closer to investment readiness.”
Hyphen’s project is positioned to deliver a transformational socio-economic impact for Namibia. Construction could create up to 15,000 new jobs, plus potentially 3,000 permanent operational jobs upon completion of both phases. The project is targeting 90% of the jobs to be filled by Namibians, with 20% specifically reserved for local youth. Furthermore, the project will contribute significantly to global decarbonization efforts, cutting 5 to 6 million tonnes of emissions annually, exceeding Namibia’s total national carbon footprint.
To read the original African Development Bank press release, please follow the link: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-back-green-hydrogen-projects-egypt-morocco-namibia-and-south-africa-grants-worth-total-20-million-96872
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About Hyphen
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Pty) Ltd is a Namibian registered green hydrogen development company, which has awarded the rights through a public tender to develop Namibia’s first large scale green hydrogen project on Government owned land. Hyphen is a joint venture between ENERTRAG SE and Nicholas Holdings Limited. The Government of the Republic of Namibia holds a 24% shareholding in Hyphen via its blended finance company SDG Namibia One.
Hyphen’s project is being developed as the first step in the implementation of the Government’s strategy for the development of a large-scale green hydrogen industry in various regions in Namibia to support both economic growth in Namibia and assist the world in achieving its decarbonisation goals. At full scale development, the project will produce 2 million tonnes of green ammonia annually for regional and global markets, from ~7GW of renewable generation capacity and ~3GW of electrolyser capacity, cutting 5-6 million tonnes (annually) of CO2 emissions, with Namibia’s annual 2021 emissions totalling 4.01 million tonnes.
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The Green Transition from where we stand: A Namibian development and justice agenda that must also solve climate
As the world debates sustainable development beyond 2030, many Africans ask: transition from what, and to what? For Europe, the green transition is understandably framed through decarbonisation, energy security and industrial competitiveness. For Namibia, and much of Africa, it remains a transition from exclusion to participation, and from resources to prosperity.
The Cost Curve Doesn’t Lie: Why Green Molecules Still Win
Three years ago, Namibia was being talked about as the next great green energy frontier. A sparsely populated country with world-class sun and wind poised to become a green hydrogen superpower. Since then, the mood has cooled. Financial close on large-scale projects is taking longer, due to slower market demand ramp-up and geopolitical headwinds. Has the opportunity come and gone for Namibia?
It hasn’t. The scale-up has been slower than the early hype promised, but the underlying fundamentals that position Namibia as a major emerging supplier remain unchanged. If anything, it has strengthened. To understand why, it helps to look for the signal amongst the market noise, to the direction that the global energy system is actually heading.
Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has concluded the Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission, a seven-day programme designed to connect Namibian businesses and training institutions with German technical, industrial and training partners.
Hyphen Facilitates High-Level Engagement Between Her Excellency President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Chinese Industrial Giant CC7
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) has successfully facilitated and concluded a high-level strategic engagement for Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, and her high-ranking ministerial delegation. The engagement in Chengdu, China, was held with China National Chemical Engineering Corporation 7 (CC7), a key subsidiary of the state-owned China National Chemical Engineering Corporation (CNCEC).
