London
CNN
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As Europe looks for alternatives to Russian energy, the EU plans to produce 11 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030 and import another 11 million tons.
Green hydrogen (hydrogen produced using renewable energy) is being touted as a clean alternative to fossil fuels that can power heavy industry and transportation. EU officials say they hope to reach a deal this summer to help Namibia develop its green hydrogen sector. The southern African country is set to open the continent’s first green hydrogen production plant in 2024, led by France’s HDF Energy.
The First Lady of Namibia, Monica Jingos, has served as a member of her country’s policy advisory board promoting gender equality. CNN’s Melissa Mahtani spoke with Guingos at the UN General Assembly in New York last week and emailed her with additional questions about Namibia’s progress in green energy and the future role of women in the country’s economy.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Namibia’s first hydrogen power plant is expected to be operational by 2024, and there are plans to partner with the European Union on green hydrogen. Where do you see sustainable power in the future of the country’s business landscape?
Jingos: It is clear that Namibia’s green hydrogen plans extend beyond domestic energy self-sufficiency. It is also about business within Africa, as Namibia has the opportunity to export clean energy to regional energy markets. In addition, there is an opportunity to export clean (energy) to a neighboring country (South Africa), which is Africa’s largest carbon contributor.
Namibia has been identified as a strategic contributor to the EU’s decarbonisation agenda, which will facilitate our ability to export energy to Europe. This means that Namibia can go beyond being a recipient of aid and become a strategic trading partner.
Among the many benefits, I am happy with the economic stimulus where the business sector (Namibia) can deploy its own resources for private sector investment. You have to stay away.
Before you were first lady, you were an entrepreneur. How did that experience prepare you for this role?
Geingos: My career has been in capital markets, corporate finance, and private equity, so I’m good at working under pressure, standing my ground, and leading difficult conversations. It also helped me develop a strong ethical compass that helps me navigate gray areas and understand where not to go.
What are the barriers to promoting women to positions of power, especially in business institutions?
Jingos: Namibia’s legislative and policy framework is very progressive regarding gender equality. The barriers are invisible and affect how women are perceived, talked about, treated, and feel when making an impact or trying to climb the ladder.
Basically, our thinking is not as progressive as our laws. While public sector leadership has not achieved gender equality, it leads the private sector, which is still far behind in achieving gender equality. This is an indication of the gains made in certain sectors, but it is a proof of how much work still needs to be done.
of African Continental Free Trade Area It came into force last year – part of Namibia. How important is it that women are at the forefront of this, at the table when major decisions are being negotiated?
Geingos: It’s important for women to sit at any table where decisions are made because it hurts society to target such big opportunities without diversity.
Women bring a different mindset and potential to the table. It doesn’t make sense to sit around the table and make major decisions without a portion of your intellectual capital. The easier movement of goods and people to facilitate intra-African trade has risks for women – (for example) human trafficking – but also significant opportunities. There are pockets of capital targeting women entrepreneurs that can be leveraged to pursue broader market opportunities, creating exciting times for women entrepreneurs.
