… Minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse says current existing laws are sufficient to cover the legal framework for implementing the projects. “All hydrogen-related activities are subject to the Environmental Management Act, the Electricity Act, the Water Resource …
… Osino confirmed that an application for environmental clearance has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform for the project in terms of Section 32 of the Environmental Management Act (No. …
… This will allow for full administrative control of the entire landfill site as well as transferring it to the Walvis Bay municipality to be managed in line with the Environmental Management Act. …
… He added that an internal environmental consultant has been assigned since December 2025 to work on these EIAs with speed and has now finalised five scoping studies, which must be consulted upon for comments as required by the Environmental Management Act. …
… This means it is subjected to the Environmental Management Act, the Electricity Act, and the Water Resource Management Act,” says the line minister. …
… Forestry and Tourism on 5 March 2025 followed the full process of undertaking a comprehensive and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including all required specialist studies, in full compliance with the requirements and provisions of the Environmental Management Act …
The revised Environmental Management Act now includes legal measures to protect ecosystems such as natural springs and habitats that were previously unprotected. …
… She said that these activities are being undertaken without the required Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs) issued by the Office of the Environmental Commissioner (OEC), as stipulated under the Environmental Management Act. …
The National Planning Commission director general said Namibia is ready to move from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects, despite the absence of dedicated legislation. The government aims to create 30,000 green jobs by 2030 and position Namibia as a low-carbon industry platform for southern Africa.
Why it matters
Namibia's pursuit of green hydrogen projects positions the country for 30,000 green jobs and industrial leadership in southern Africa.
The National Planning Commission director general said Namibia is ready to move from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects, despite the absence of dedicated legislation. The government aims to create 30,000 green jobs by 2030 and position Namibia as a low-carbon industry platform for southern Africa.
Osino Gold Exploration and Mining is applying for an Environmental Clearance Certificate to build a sand storage dam with a capacity of approximately 125,000 cubic metres on the Khan River's Spes Bona Compartment in the Erongo Region, in collaboration with Namibia Water Corporation, to supply water for its Twin Hills Gold Project near Karibib.
A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.
The City of Windhoek plans to formalise informal settlements by creating approximately 11,226 erven, with 3,587 in the first phase. The city is fast-tracking land-use planning, completing environmental assessments, and launching an electrification project to expand basic services in informal areas within one to two months.
An LPM parliamentarian has criticized the green hydrogen project as a political campaign tool rather than a genuine development plan, citing the lack of a dedicated legislative framework. The government's press secretary defended the project as part of Namibia's development vision alongside oil and gas initiatives, while the minister acknowledged no standalone green hydrogen act exists but said the sector is governed by existing environmental and energy legislation.
The Namwaste Management Facility near Arandis has begun operations as Namibia's first fully compliant general and hazardous waste management site, serving the industrial, mining and emerging oil and gas sectors. The N$200 million facility, covering 177 hectares, will collect a minimum of 60,000 tonnes of waste annually and create approximately 40 permanent jobs.
Namibia's amended Environmental Management Act will extend legal protections to ecosystems like natural springs and habitats previously unprotected, and set standards for noise, smell, water and air quality. The ministry is consulting on proposed sand and gravel mining regulations and has flagged unprecedented illegal sand mining as a major environmental concern, attributing it to weak management, corruption, and insufficient enforcement.
Environment Minister Indileni Daniel has urged an end to illegal sand and gravel mining across Namibia, noting that such activities lack required Environmental Clearance Certificates and pose serious risks including land degradation, riverbank erosion, and threats to water and food security. The ministry plans regional stakeholder engagements on new Sand and Gravel Mining Regulations to balance development with environmental protection.