James Mnyupe: Namibia’s green hydrogen midwife

James Mnyupe’s transition from an investment banker to the champion of Namibia’s ambitious green hydrogen project has drawn both ire and awe in the public domain.His name has become synonymous with green hydrogen, and surfaces in every boardroom where the multibillion-dollar project is discussed.Despite having no known technical skills relating to the budding sector, government this week rubber-stamped his role in the project when he was announced as the founding head of the country’s Green Hydrogen Implementation Authority.Mnyupe, who has become the poster boy for Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions, is set to run this new office for the next five years, and will be tasked with assembling his own team.Rise to the topAn accountant by profession, Mnyupe&#039;s rise to the top within government circles started in September 2020 when he was appointed as President Hage Geingob’s economic advisor, and later the green hydrogen commissioner.Mines minister Tom Alweendo sought to explain the modalities around Mnyupe’s appointments, saying the green hydrogen positions were merely ad-hoc tasks added to his main government job.“There are people who say he receives two salaries – that is not true. He receives only one salary because these other capacities are all part of his job as presidential economic advisor. He is still the economic advisor for the president. “Green hydrogen is one of the main pillars under the second Harambee Prosperity Plan [HPPII], and so it was decided he should be the one to run this implementation authority office,” he said.Mnyupe added that his presidential economic advisor salary is now set to be adjusted proportionately, due to his increased responsibilities within the green hydrogen project. “I have only ever drawn one salary from government at the presidency - which is now to be reduced commensurately given my new obligations to the programme, as agreed with my employer. “The programne will compensate its staff from donor funds on a separate payroll outside of government on a contract basis. The head of programme, like all other staff of the programme, will be remunerated by the programme,” he said.Natural progressionAccording to Mnyupe, Namibia’s green hydrogen project is a natural progression from government’s ambition to explore what was termed a ‘strategic bet’ in HPPII. He added that after exploring the viability of incubating a synthetic fuels strategy, government - together with its development partners - essentially came to the conclusion that it makes sense to invest more resources into establishing this new industry in Namibia. “The programme is thus looking to build Namibian capacity to directly respond to the ambitions of the Namibian synthetic fuels strategy. Over the next few weeks, we shall share with the public the various executive roles that we will be looking to recruit in the third and fourth quarter of 2023. "This team will look to accelerate the achievement of the 12-point plan in the strategy,” Mnyupe said. EntrenchedGovernance expert Graham Hopwood said the ministry’s announcement looks like an attempt to institutionalise green hydrogen as a government project which will continue beyond Geingob’s final term as president.“But in reality, we don&#039;t know if a new government will be interested in green hydrogen after March 2025.”According to the Namibia green hydrogen and derivatives strategy, under a net-zero by 2050 scenario, Europe, Japan, South Korea, China and North America will likely drive 70% of the demand for green hydrogen by 2030. It also highlighted that Germany, anticipated to be Europe&#039;s largest market, foresees an import demand of around 15 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2050. Japan is also looking at increasing import demand as it progressively adopts hydrogen for power and transportation, while it simultaneously develops its own production capabilities.Mnyupe previously served as the country manager for asset management firm, Allan Gray. Prior to that, he worked at auditing firm PwC. He studied at the University of Namibia, Rhodes University and Harvard Kennedy School.jemima@namibiansun.com

James Mnyupe: Namibia’s green hydrogen midwife

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-23

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James Mnyupe: Namibia’s green hydrogen midwife

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-23

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