EIF’s N$625m proposed green industrial zone project makes strides
The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF)’s project proposal to establish a green industrial zone has reached the final stage, with approximately N$625 million in funding secured under the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF).A green industrial zone is an area specifically designed and managed to minimise environmental harm and maximise resource efficiency through the integration of sustainable practices.
EIF spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the fund’s proposal to establish Namibia’s first green industrial zone is among the top 20 shortlisted from over 500 global submissions. Muyunda said that the project proposal, which was submitted in July, underwent a rigorous virtual assessment in August, with a final board decision expected in October. “If approved, the funding will be transformative, driving low-carbon industrialisation, creating green jobs and strengthening Namibia’s transition to a sustainable economy,” he explained.
Muyunda said the EIF has already acquired land for the development of the zone at Farm 58 in the Erongo Region. Once developed, the proposed green industrial zone will serve as a hub for green industries, hosting a diverse range of activities, including but not limited to renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, clean tech industries, natural resource value chain development, and other activities that reduce the impact of climate change.
“This is not just a project; it is a bold step for Namibia. It demonstrates our readiness to pioneer a new model of industrialisation, one that places sustainability, innovation and people at the centre,” said EIF CEO Benedict Libanda.
The project is being advanced in partnership with the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).