Will green hydrogen, HPP outlive Geingob?

The sudden death of president Hage Geingob is not expected to bring to an end his personal initiatives such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) and investment into the green hydrogen space, commentators have said.

During his tenure, Geingob led the implementation of the HHP to fast-track development, a goal he championed until his death early Sunday morning. The plans were introduced to build on government’s already existing development plans, notably all five National Development Plans as well as Vision 2030.

Economist Klaus Schade, whom Geingob appointed with others to serve on a high-level panel to revive the economy in 2019, said HPP is embedded into government’s programmes and is therefore likely to continue.

“I expect these initiatives as well as others to continue because of the continuity of the new leadership. [The second HPP] is a programme of the current government, not just of the president; hence its implementation will continue,” he said.

Geingob’s death is also unlikely to affect green hydrogen projects currently being pursued as funding for their implementation is being provided by the private sector, Schade said.

The onus is also on government to ensure a conducive regulatory framework exists for the successful implementation of green hydrogen initiatives.

“The green hydrogen pilot projects are supported by foreign and private sector funding, while the planned, large green hydrogen facility in the south is private-sector-funded. Government has to ensure that the necessary legal and regulatory environment is in place,” he said.

Swift transition

Green hydrogen largely resorts under the Office of the President, with both parliament and the ministry of mines and energy initially not having oversight over the scheme.

Schade said this is no longer the case, hence the likelihood that other state institutions will carry it forward.

“These projects are not just driven by the Office of the President, but other institutions including the Green Hydrogen Council. The swift transition [after Geingob’s death] has certainly strengthened investor confidence. Private investors will continue with their activities.”

The swearing-in of President Nangolo Mbumba meant there was an expectation that Geingob-led policies would not abruptly be stopped, but would continue even beyond his death, Institute for Public Policy and Research director Graham Hopwood said.

“Since [Mbumba] was the vice-president and a close friend and confidant of [Geingob], he can be expected to continue with the priorities of his former comrade. I think the top echelons of government will seek to honour the late president by ensuring that his key projects - like green hydrogen - continue to receive emphasis and that as many Harambee targets as possible are met.”

Bigger question

A concern for Hopwood is whether Geingob’s policies will continue beyond March 2025, when a new head of state and government is sworn in.

“The bigger question is whether there will be a change in policy direction and priorities after March 2025 once we have a new national leadership in place,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Economics Association of Namibia (EAN) lauded Geingob’s efforts to set Namibia on a path to clean energy.

“Geingob's initiatives, especially in the green hydrogen sector, have laid a solid foundation for the country's path toward sustainable energy and economic development,” CEO Cons Karamata said.

“While [Geingob] was a pivotal figure in championing these initiatives, the EAN is confident that the frameworks, partnerships and institutional structures he helped establish are poised to ensure continuity.”

There is not only commitment from government to advance Namibia’s green hydrogen initiatives, but from the private sector as well, Karamata said.

“The ongoing commitment from the government and its partners to advance Namibia's green hydrogen sector and broader economic policies indicate that there is a sustainable approach to realising Geingob's vision for a greener and more prosperous Namibia.”