Namibia is moving to leverage its abundant renewable energy potential with the groundbreaking of the country’s first low-carbon fertiliser plant, a project designed to transform its agricultural sector and reduce reliance on imports.
The facility, located in the Dâures Green Hydrogen Village, is slated for completion in 2026. It will produce ammonia and ammonium sulfate fertiliser using green hydrogen, showcasing a complete value chain from renewable energy to industrial output.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi hailed the project as a critical response to the challenges facing Namibian farmers, including soil degradation and nutrient loss. The plant is expected to provide affordable, high-quality fertilizers to local farmers, thereby enhancing food security and agricultural resilience.
The initiative is backed by a €4.6 million grant from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), which sees it as a model for sustainable industrial development. UNIDO’s secretary general, Gerd Müller, noted that the project is “about more than technology; it is about people, jobs, and opportunities,” with more than 300 jobs already created.
According to Jerome Namaseb, CEO of the Dâures Green Hydrogen Village, the facility aligns with the country’s upcoming sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) to localize fertilizer production. The project is seen as a “pilot initiative and proof of concept” that demonstrates how innovation and strategic partnerships can drive economic transformation.
