EU-Namibia Business Forum 2023

On 24-25 October, the first EU-Namibia Business Forum (ENBF) takes place online and in Brussels under the theme: “Mobilising quality investment and value addition for green growth in the EU-Namibia partnership”. Focusing on green hydrogen and sustainable critical raw materials value chains, this highly anticipated two-day Business Forum aims to foster ties and strengthen partnership between EU and Namibian government, businesses and organisations. The Business Forum is jointly organised by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the European Union in the run-up to the Global Gateway Forum hosted by European Commission President von der Leyen on 25-26 October in Brussels.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “Namibia and the EU are strategic partners, with the joint ambition to deliver a fair digital and green transition, developing local value chains and industry in Namibia while securing supply of raw materials and renewable hydrogen for the EU. The first EU- Namibia Business Forum, taking place in the margins of the Global Gateway Forum, is a unique opportunity to take our partnership a step further, bringing the private and public sectors together to tap into investment and business opportunities, strengthen the trade agenda and to promote sustainable economic growth.”

High-level speakers, including Namibia’s President, H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob and Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission, Koen Doens, attend the ENBF, together with other prominent figures from the public and private sector. The two-day event features a diverse array of activities, including keynote address, high-level panel discussions, networking opportunities, exhibitions, business matchmaking, workshops and side events.

Connecting stakeholders from Namibia and the EU, the Business Forum provides a unique opportunity for sharing expertise, exploring investment prospects and developing joint ventures that contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for both regions.

For more information, please visit the official event website: https://www.enbf2023.com/

Background

The EU-Namibia Business Forum builds on the strategic partnership between Namibia and the EU on sustainable critical raw materials and green hydrogen value chains. On 8 November 2022, at COP27 in Egypt, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of Namibia, Hage Geingob signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership between the EU and Namibia to create and strengthen Green Hydrogen and Sustainable Critical Raw Materials (CRM) value chains in Namibia.

Namibia is the first country in Africa to establish a strategic partnership with the EU on CRMs and green hydrogen value chain. Thanks to its abundant solar and wind resources and vast land availability, Namibia is poised to become a global producer and net exporter of green hydrogen, reckoned to catalyse the decarbonisation of the planet.

In January 2023, Commissioners Jutta Urpilainen and Thierry Breton launched the development of the roadmap during their visit in Namibia.