Windhoek, August 6, 2025 — Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has signed a significant contract with China National Chemical Engineering Corporation (CNCEC) and its subsidiary, China National Chemical Engineering & Construction Corporation Seven (CC7), for the front-end engineering design (FEED) and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the ammonia production component of its green hydrogen project in Namibia.

The agreement with CNCEC marks a key step in Hyphen’s broader development strategy and is one of several FEED and EPC contracts expected to be finalized for the project’s various infrastructure components. However, the commencement of any EPC work will depend on a successful final investment decision following the FEED phase.

CNCEC was selected after a competitive international procurement process that emphasized technical expertise, sustainability, and alignment with local content goals. The company is known for its extensive global experience in complex, large-scale chemical and ammonia projects, working in partnership with both international technology providers and local contractors.

“This agreement marks a pivotal step in realising our vision to put Namibia on the map as a global leader in green hydrogen,” said Giuseppe Surace, Chief Operating Officer at Hyphen. “CNCEC’s exceptional design and execution capabilities, coupled with their experience working with international and local partners, will help us meet our technology, sustainability, and job creation goals.”

Hyphen’s green hydrogen project is currently in the development phase, with ongoing efforts focused on detailed planning, permitting, and stakeholder engagement. The CNCEC partnership is seen as a key factor in de-risking the project and adding value to Namibia and all involved stakeholders.

The project is part of Namibia’s broader push to become a major player in the global green energy transition, leveraging its renewable resources to support sustainable industrial development and job creation.

WINDHOEK, Aug. 5  — Namibia is considering a new policy that would require 51 percent Namibian ownership in all new mining ventures, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Natangue Ithete said Tuesday.

Speaking during a mining expo in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, Ithete said the government is consulting industry stakeholders on mechanisms to implement the proposal. “Namibia’s minerals are a national asset,” Ithete said.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the exploitation of resources results in tangible benefits for all Namibians.”

He said increasing local participation is not only a matter of social justice but also important for long-term stability and sustainability in the mining sector.

Ithete also spoke of inactive mineral licenses, saying that several licenses have been issued where no activity has commenced, and he warned against holding them for purposes unrelated to national development.

“We will not tolerate the hoarding of licenses. The ministry has already issued notices to noncompliant mineral rights holders and will soon engage them,” he said.

Namibia is a leading producer of uranium and diamonds and has recently attracted global interest in its deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals.(Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, Aug. 5 — Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday emphasized the need for greater local participation in the mining sector, saying that more must be done to ensure Namibians benefit directly from the country’s mineral wealth.

In a speech read on her behalf by Carlo McLeod, special advisor and deputy head of Upstream Petroleum Unit, at a mining expo in Windhoek, Namibia‘s capital, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia is positioning its mining sector as a driver of inclusive economic transformation, with reforms to empower local businesses, expand employment, and strengthen national development.

“Our mineral wealth must not only fuel economic output but also empower Namibians as entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and innovators.

The time is now to take ownership, not just as employees but as beneficiaries of this sector,” she said. According to the president, Namibia‘s mining sector generated 52.3 billion Namibian dollars (about 2.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, contributed 13.3 percent to gross domestic product, and created over 2,600 new jobs.

Local procurement accounted for 62 percent of industry spending, benefitting thousands of Namibian-owned businesses.

The president said Namibia, as the world’s third-largest producer of uranium, is well-positioned to support the global energy transition, with projects like the recommissioning of the Langer Heinrich Mine and progress at Tumas and Etango expected to create jobs, boost exports, and expand Namibia‘s global role.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government is prioritizing the swift passage of the Minerals Bill, which aims to improve regulatory transparency, align with global governance standards, and enhance investment conditions.

From Tuesday to Thursday, the 2025 Mining Expo and Conference runs under the theme “Mining for Namibia‘s Future: Job Creation, Local Empowerment, and Economic Transformation.” (Xinhua)