WINDHOEK — At the recent Global African Hydrogen Summit, Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, called for the alignment of green hydrogen standards globally, emphasizing the need for Namibia and Africa to meet European Union (EU) benchmarks.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the summit serves as a crucial platform for setting benchmarks that align with EU standards, but also for recognizing the differing perspectives between Europe and Namibia. While European nations might see Namibia primarily as a market for green hydrogen, Alweendo underscored Namibia’s capacity and ambition to be a leading producer, not just a consumer. “Namibia sees itself as a key producer with its own vision of what green hydrogen standards should entail,” he stated.

The minister stressed the importance of cooperation between producers and consumers to establish consistent standards and ensure fair competition in the burgeoning global market. He urged delegates from European countries to work together on setting and adhering to these standards to facilitate international trade and support sustainable development in the sector.

EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, also addressed the summit, highlighting the critical role of equitable standards in fostering a global level playing field for producers of green hydrogen. Simson noted that while European industries have a significant demand for green hydrogen, establishing fair production and trade standards could provide the greatest global benefit.

The three-day summit, themed “From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution,” brought together international leaders, including heads of state, to advance discussions on green hydrogen’s potential to drive Africa’s green industrial revolution.