Hydrogen to boost clean energy drive in Tanzania
TANZANIA’S participation in the ongoing Global African Hydrogen Summit in Namibia has highlighted the country’s interest in exploring the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source for sustainable development.
Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, joined over 1,000 delegates at the summit, which focuses on collaboration among African nations to harness hydrogen for both environmental and economic benefits.
Namibia’s Vice-Pres ident, Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, who inaugurated the summit, urged African countries to seize the opportunity to develop practical strategies for leveraging natural resources.
The Vice-President proudly pointed to Namibia’s achievements in utilising hydrogen for industrial purposes, setting an example for other African nations, adding that the initiatives have not only benefited her country per se, but also extended to neighbouring states, demonstrating the wider regional advantages of adopting such technologies.
She also encouraged the use of clean energy as a means of fostering development across the continent, reiterating the inclusion of youth as a driving force in Africa’s future growth.
“It is essential that we engage all key players in these discussions to ensure real and lasting development,” she emphasised.
Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Mr Tom Alweendo, echoed the importance of collabo ration, calling for African nations to work together rather than compete in the development and use of available resources.
He stated that Namibia has been collaborating with other African countries in the use of available resources, encouraging further international cooperation to accelerate the efforts, including the production and utilisation of hydrogen for generating clean cooking energy and driving economic activities.
On the other hand, Belgium’s Minister for Energy, Ms Tinne Van Der Straeten, emphasized the need for clean cooking energy solutions such as hydrogen to combat poverty.
She urged summit attendees to promote clean cooking energy as a key step toward improving the livelihoods of people in their respective nations. Tanzania, meanwhile, has taken advantage of the summit to deepen its understanding of the opportunities and challenges that hydrogen energy presents.
On the sidelines of the event, Deputy Prime Minister Biteko, accompanied by Namibia’s Vice-Pres ident, Nandi-Ndaitwah, toured exhibitions show casing hydrogen technologies.
The Deputy Prime Minister also held private discussions with Namibia’s Vice President to explore further cooperation between the two countries.
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The summit, which also included other Tanzanian officials including Ambassador Cesar Waitara and Permanent Secretary Felchesmi Mramba who accompanied the Deputy Prime Minister, marks a significant step for Tanzania in its efforts to adopt cleaner, more sustainable energy sources and aligns with the country’s broader energy transition goals.
