Namibia-Germany mission advances partnership
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has concluded the Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission, a seven-day programme designed to connect Namibian businesses and training institutions with German technical, industrial and training partners.
The mission brought together a 16-member delegation, including 13 representatives from Namibian businesses, industry bodies as well as technical and vocational training institutions, alongside three representatives from Hyphen and GIZ. These Namibian organisations included; The Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN), TVET. HVAC and The Millenium Group. The delegation attended events in Hamburg and Stuttgart and engaged more than 50 German companies and institutions through business-to-business meetings, technical workshops, industry forums and site visits.
The mission forms part of Hyphen’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) Program and the implementation framework established through the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between Hyphen, Afrika-Verein der Deutschen Wirtschaft and Baden-Württemberg International. The programme received support from GIZ and ENERTRAG.
The central purpose was to expand Namibia-Germany cooperation from high-level dialogue to practical partnerships. Engagements focused on: supplier qualification, procurement readiness, quality and health, safety, security and environment systems, technical mentorship, apprenticeship models, instructor development, industrial automation, solar and wind capability, fabrication, welding, logistics, water systems, and equipment training.
German organisations engaged during the mission included, among others, Fraunhofer IWES, STILL GmbH, Stadtwerke Stuttgart, Murrelektronik, Siemens Energy, Siemens South Africa, the International Institute of Welding, Draeger Safety, VDMA, Renewable Energy Hamburg, GFA Consulting Group, Lucas-Nülle, KSB, CMS, the German Solar Association and the German Renewable Energy Federation.
Toni Beukes, Head of Environment, Social and Governance, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy said; “This mission was designed to produce implementation pathways, not only introductions. The scale of Namibia’s green industrial ambitions require partnerships that strengthen local enterprises, prepare our workforce and connect Namibian suppliers to international technical standards and markets. The results give us a credible platform for sustained cooperation with German industry and training institutions.”
The delegation examined Germany’s company-based apprenticeship and master craftsman systems, including three-year work-integrated training pathways. German training and craft institutions expressed interest in supporting phased adaptation of these approaches in Namibia, as well as two-way placements involving Namibian and German trainees.
Technical visits also produced practical opportunities. Fraunhofer IWES discussions covered wind energy, HySecunda and the possible local delivery of training. STILL explored electric and hydrogen forklift training and potential equipment support for Namibian vocational institutions. Stadtwerke Stuttgart shared lessons in renewable energy integration, municipal energy systems, hydrogen safety, recycling and student exchanges. Murrelektronik expressed interest in Namibian market entry, technical partnerships, automation training, local representation and after-sales services.
The mission generated an early partnership pipeline. One MoU is currently being finalised, while four follow-up programs are being explored between Namibian and German companies and institutions. These programs cover enterprise partnerships, technical training, supplier capability and renewable energy collaboration.
Johannes Shipepe, Senior Economic Development Manager: Local Content at Hyphen, said “Namibian companies gained direct access to German technical partners, OEMs, training providers and industry networks. Our priority now is to translate these engagements into supplier assessments, technical workshops, training partnerships and market-entry arrangements with clear responsibilities and timelines.”
Hyphen and its partners are preparing the next phase of engagement. Reciprocal German missions to Namibia are anticipated in September and November 2026, subject to programme confirmation. These visits will support direct engagement with Namibian companies and TVET institutions, technical workshops, site visits and the advancement of partnerships initiated in Germany.
The mission also strengthened the case for a longer-term Namibia-Germany ESD platform. The proposed platform would support supplier qualification, joint ventures, technical mentorship, standards alignment, workforce development and the localisation of selected renewable energy and industrial value-chain activities.
Hyphen is developing Namibia’s flagship gigawatt-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia project. Its ESD & Skills development programs seeks to strengthen the readiness of Namibian companies and workers to participate across the project value chain during construction and operations. Early attention includes solar-related opportunities, electrical contracting, fabrication, welding, logistics, equipment services and technical training.
