Green hydrogen, a lush venture for Namibian youth

A panel discussion on green energy job opportunities for Namibian youth by Impact Tank Namibia took place in Windhoek on Tuesday.

The panel, led by 10 Billion Strong chief executive Patrick Arnold, in partnership with the embassy of the United States and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), tackled the question of job security in the green energy sector.

Namibia’s aim to become a key player in the green hydrogen industry by the end of the next decade leaves the youth questioning how they can insert themselves into the equation. The panel highlighted the importance of the youth leveraging the skills they already have and upskilling themselves for the jobs that will be in demand due to the boom of the green energy sector.

Produced through sustainable energy sources of wind, solar and hydropower by splitting water molecules, green hydrogen has potential for Namibia to become the next global energy powerhouse and create a sustainable job market for the youth.

IPPR researcher Suzie Shefeni highlighted the need for the youth to take up space within the green energy sector by not only focusing on electrical business ventures in solar, wind and hydro power, but making use of the unrepresented job skills in the industry.