Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The EU and Namibia are to enter strategic partnership to secure supply of raw materials and green hydrogen.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen signed a memorandum of understanding on the partnership with President of Namibia Hage Geingob at the COP27 meeting in Egypt.
The EC stressed that the partnership is aimed at securing supply of raw and refined materials as well as green hydrogen to support digital and green transitions.
The Commission pointed out in a press release on Tuesday that cooperation will be mutually beneficial as it will support growth of green hydrogen and mining value chains in Namibia.
The EC added that the partnership will attract investments and provide funding opportunities for modernisation of Namibian industry while strengthening social and economic development.
Mutually beneficial agreement
Von der Leyen noted that she is very happy with the deal between the EU and Namibia. “This is not only a huge step forward for the EU’s climate ambitions but also an agreement beneficial to Namibia, a front-runner in the development of renewable hydrogen in Africa,” she stressed.
She pointed out that the move shows the EU’s determination to cooperate with partners on the green push.
“I would like to thank President Geingob for his commitment and look forward to our cooperation,” she noted and concluded “this partnership is a key step in strengthening relations between the EU and Namibia, based on mutual trust, deepened political dialogue and concrete cooperation projects.”
According to the memorandum of understanding, the EU and Namibia will integrate green hydrogen and raw materials value chains where feasible. They will also “cooperate to leverage environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.”
The EU and Namibia have agreed to prepare cooperation plans for 2023-2024 in six months and implement the plans in cooperation with financial and industrial stakeholders in Namibia and the bloc.
The EC noted that the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Namibia signed a declaration to strengthen cooperation on renewable energy on Tuesday, separate from the cooperation agreement.
The body concluded that recently signed agreements with Namibia will strengthen cooperation and help both sides to grow and develop.
