Also known as: Dr. Kaire Mbuende · National Planning Commission Director General Kaire Mbuende · Ambassador Dr. Kaire Mbuende · director general Kaire Mbuende · Dr Kaire Mbuende
Kaire Mbuende — National Planning Commission director general advancing Namibia's green hydrogen and nuclear power initiatives.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
April 2026
Windhoek Observer
Dr Kaire Mbuendeleadsthe National Planning Commission
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“The National Planning Commission (NPC), under the leadership of Dr Kaire Mbuende, occupies one of the most strategically important positions in government.”
National Planning Commission Director General Kaire Mbuendeofficiatedthe handover ceremony
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“The handover ceremony was officiated by Environment Minister Indileni Daniel, National Planning Commission Director General Kaire Mbuende and German Ambassador Thorsten Hutter.”
Dr. Kaire Mbuendeattendedthe handover ceremony as Director-General of the National Planning Commission
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“The event was also attended by Dr. Kaire Mbuende, Director-General of the National Planning Commission, and Dr. Thorsten Hutter, Ambassador of Germany to Namibia.”
Kaire Mbuendeisdirector general of the National Planning Commission
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“Speaking at the workshop, the director general of the National Planning Commission, Kaire Mbuende, said that the Climate Investment Funds Industrial Decarbonisation Programme represents a strategic opportunity for Namibia to accelerate its economic development and diversification agenda as outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan.”
Kaire Mbuendewas directed tofurther explore how the technology could be scaled up
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“Impressed by the speed and quality of construction, Nandi-Ndaitwah directed Kaire Mbuende, Director General of the National Planning Commission, and James Sankwasa, Minister of Urban and Rural Development, to further explore how the technology could be scaled up to help address Namibia's housing backlog.”
National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuendestatedhandover demonstrates how development cooperation translates into tangible results
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“Moreover, at the same occasion, National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende added that the handover demonstrates how development cooperation translates into tangible results.”
Kaire Mbuendesaiddiscussions around nuclear energy in Namibia are being driven by the need to diversify the mining sector
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“Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, director general of the National Planning Commission, Kaire Mbuende, said discussions around nuclear energy in Namibia are being driven by the need to diversify the mining sector, reduce reliance on imported electricity and capture more value from uranium production.”
Kaire Mbuendesaidthe country is committed to full compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines
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“Mbuende said the country is committed to full compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines as it develops the sector, while also assessing emerging technologies such as small modular reactors.”
Kaire Mbuendeis said to bethe key figure behind most of the president's appointments
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“Sources say he is the key figure behind most of Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointments, including those of the health and infrastructure development task forces.”
Kaire Mbuendesaidthere is a glaring gap in transfer and sharing of administrative data by government entities
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“"There is a glaring gap in the transfer and sharing of administrative data generated by various government entities. Without accurate and accessible data, our ability to plan, monitor and evaluate government programmes is severely constrained," Mbuende said, speaking at the annual general meeting of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) this week.”
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.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed all government institutions to budget for internships and apprenticeships to address graduate unemployment. While the directive is practical, the article questions its timing, noting that many institutions have already completed their annual budgeting and planning cycles.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, partnering with Enertrag and GIZ, will sign a cooperation agreement under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme to strengthen Namibian supplier capacity in the green hydrogen sector. The initiative, funded by EUR 300,000 from H2UPPP and EUR 300,000 from Hyphen, will implement an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme to build capability and competitiveness of Namibian enterprises.
Minister Veikko Nekundi presented the 2026/2027 budget allocation of N$592.972 million for the Department of Works to the National Assembly, with N$499 million for operational costs and N$93.972 million for capital investment. The budget addresses public infrastructure development, government asset management, and maintenance of state facilities across five programmes.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has handed over newly built and renovated infrastructure worth N$166 million across Etosha, Hardap and Bwabwata national parks, co-funded by Namibia and Germany. The upgrades include improved entrance gates, comfort stops, duty stations, and anti-poaching infrastructure, aimed at strengthening conservation and enhancing visitor experience.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has inaugurated newly constructed and renovated infrastructure across Etosha, Hardap, and Bwabwata National Parks, valued at N$166 million and co-funded by Germany's development bank. The upgrades include enhanced facilities, staff stations, and utilities designed to strengthen wildlife protection and improve visitor experiences.
The Minister of Environment has inaugurated a Solid Waste Management Facility at Etosha National Park, emphasizing the need for environmental education alongside infrastructure to improve waste management practices. The facility, funded by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, addresses poor waste management at wildlife resorts and will be operated by Rent-A-Drum.
The Namibian government has received 148 project proposals for its Green Hydrogen Programme, representing potential investments of around US$1 billion. Of these, 77 projects align closely with the programme's objectives, covering clean energy, industrial development, infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture, with the initiative aiming to mobilise over US$1 billion in total investment through concessional climate finance and development bank support.
Namibia's environment and tourism ministry will inaugurate new light infrastructure, a solid waste management facility, and Wildlife Protection Service duty stations at Etosha National Park on 28 March. The improvements aim to strengthen ranger patrols against poaching, improve wildlife monitoring, and manage visitor waste to protect animals and the park's natural environment.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for further exploration of alternative housing technologies after inspecting a demonstration house built using Alternative Building Technology (ABT) panels in Okahandja Park. The President directed government officials to explore how the technology could be scaled up to help address Namibia's housing backlog, and commended the Namibian entrepreneurs behind the initiative.
The European Union has donated nine vehicles valued at N$10 million to Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, including eight Land Cruiser bakkies and two mobile veterinary clinics, to strengthen animal health surveillance and disease control in the Northern Communal Areas. The fleet will support efforts to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease, improve traceability, and help farmers meet export standards.
Namibia is advancing plans to develop nuclear power generation through international partnerships and compliance with global benchmarks, with the National Planning Commission director noting the move aims to diversify the mining sector, reduce electricity imports, and capture greater value from uranium production. The government has approved a National Nuclear Industry Strategy that includes establishing a Nuclear Institute of Namibia and transferring atomic energy administration to the National Planning Commission.