Justicia Shipena
Namibia is ready to move from policy ambition to practical industrial implementation, the director general of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Kaire Mbuende, has said.
He made the remarks during the industrial decarbonisation workshop, which examined opportunities under the Climate Investment Funds industrial decarbonisation programme.
“Namibia now stands ready to move from policy ambition to industrial implementation. The Industrial Decarbonisation Programme offers a unique platform to build modern industries, strengthen infrastructure, create sustainable jobs, and accelerate inclusive economic growth,” Mbuende said.
Mbuende said the programme gives Namibia access to up to US$250 million in concessional climate finance to support low-carbon industrial development.
“The Climate Investment Funds Industrial Decarbonisation Programme represents a strategic opportunity for Namibia to accelerate its agenda for economic development and diversification as outlined in NDP6,” he said.
He said the funding will help turn national policy plans into practical industrial investments and encourage participation from the private sector.
“This facility is more than a source of financing. It is a catalytic instrument that enables Namibia to translate national policy into practical industrial investments,” Mbuende said.
The proposed investment pipeline includes projects in mineral beneficiation, low-carbon manufacturing, industrial decarbonisation and value addition in critical minerals.
He said these projects will help modernise production systems, expand industrial value chains and position Namibia within emerging green markets.
Mbuende said the initiative will also stimulate demand for supporting infrastructure such as energy transmission networks, logistics corridors, industrial parks, water systems and digital infrastructure.
These sectors form part of the country’s industrialisation strategy under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
He said cooperation between government, development finance institutions and the private sector remains central to achieving sustainable industrial growth.
Mbuende welcomed the involvement of partners such as the Climate Investment Funds, the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
He said these institutions bring financing, technical knowledge and financial tools to support Namibia’s transition toward modern and climate-aligned industries.
The workshop aimed to clarify the Climate Investment Funds’ financing framework and align proposed projects with national priorities.
Mbuende said the programme is expected to produce a pipeline of bankable green industrial projects, expand domestic manufacturing capacity, grow mineral beneficiation and create employment opportunities for Namibians.
Mbuende added that the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme plays an important role in coordinating investment, supporting project preparation and bringing together stakeholders working on Namibia’s green industrial agenda.
