Honored to attend Gazza Shiimi’s address at the Global African Hydrogen Summit! It was a powerful opportunity to represent Africa New Energies (ANE) and participate in the clean energy conversation in Namibia, a country that holds immense potential to lead Africa’s energy transition.
While hydrogen was the main focus of the summit, Gazza – an ANE shareholder – made an important point about the link between white hydrogen exploration and natural gas extraction—a connection that resonates strongly with ANE’s core work. At ANE, our clean energy innovation program is committed to the same goals the conference sought to unlock: harnessing the potential of hydrogen and driving sustainable energy solutions across Namibia and the wider African continent.
Why Clean Tech Innovation Matters
Africa’s energy future rests heavily on its ability to innovate in the clean tech space. With nearly 600 million Africansstill living without access to reliable electricity, it’s clear that the region needs more than traditional energy solutions. The opportunity lies in clean, renewable energy sources, including hydrogen.
Hydrogen energy, particularly white hydrogen, is emerging as a key player in this shift. White hydrogen refers to naturally occurring hydrogen deposits, which can be harnessed without the carbon emissions typically associated with traditional fossil fuels. This aligns perfectly with Africa’s growing need for sustainable, scalable, and economically viable energy solutions.
For Namibia, in particular, clean tech innovation isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. Namibia enjoys some of the highest solar irradiance in the world, making it an ideal location for renewable energy projects. Additionally, early studies have shown promising signs of naturally occurring white hydrogen deposits in the region, providing a new and exciting opportunity for energy diversification.
Africa New Energies’ Role in the Energy Transition
At Africa New Energies, we’re at the forefront of this shift. Our clean energy innovation program seeks to drive precisely what the Global African Hydrogen Summit was setting out to unlock: the deployment of non-invasive exploration techniques and ethical engagement with local communities.
One of the things that sets us apart is our commitment to non-invasive exploration. Traditional exploration techniques often involve significant environmental disruption, but we’ve adopted methods that minimize impact. Our integrated surface exploration technique uses satellite data, small aircraft, and soil-based inputs, processed through a multi-layered algorithm. This method not only reduces exploration costs by up to 90%, but also ensures that we maintain a low environmental footprint. This approach is not only cutting-edge but also ethical, respecting the land and communities in which we operate.
In addition to this, community engagement plays a key role in our efforts. In Namibia, we’ve worked closely with indigenous communities, particularly the San, Herero, and Nama people, whose knowledge of the land has been invaluable in identifying areas for potential exploration. Ethical exploration isn’t just about reducing environmental impact; it’s also about fostering trust and collaboration with local populations.
The Potential of Hydrogen in Africa
The hydrogen opportunity is immense, not just for Namibia but for Africa as a whole. As countries look to decarbonize their economies, hydrogen is set to play a pivotal role. According to the African Hydrogen Partnership, hydrogen could meet up to 15% of Africa’s energy needs by 2050, potentially providing energy access to millions of people and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
For Namibia, the development of white hydrogen reserves is particularly promising. Initial studies suggest that the country could hold some of the largest hydrogen reserves in the world, rivaling even the Gulf States in potential energy production.
By innovating in clean tech and aligning with the latest hydrogen technologies, ANE is committed to driving sustainable energy solutions that are not only viable for Africa but also globally impactful. The work we’re doing is about much more than just hydrogen—it’s about unlocking a cleaner, fairer future for everyone.
A Cleaner Future
As we reflect on the discussions at the Global African Hydrogen Summit, one thing is clear: Africa has a crucial role to play in the global energy transition. At Africa New Energies, we are proud to be part of that story. Through ethical exploration, clean tech innovation, and collaboration with local communities, we are working to bring clean, affordable energy to those who need it most.
Hydrogen, especially white hydrogen, holds the key to unlocking this future, and Namibia is well-positioned to lead the way.