Tanzania’s
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko has attended the
International Hydrogen Summit in Namibia, where over 1,000 participants from
Africa and beyond gathered to discuss how African countries can collaborate in
producing and using hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source.
Namibia’s
Vice President, Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, opened the summit in Windhoek, urging
participants to identify strategies that use local resources for national
development.
She
highlighted Namibia’s success in using hydrogen for industrial purposes, which
benefits both the country and its neighbors.
The Vice
President stressed the importance of clean energy for economic growth as she
called for the involvement of young people, emphasizing their role as a driving
force for Africa’s development, urging the inclusion of all stakeholders to
achieve sustainable progress.
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Namibia’s
Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. Tom Alweendo, called for cooperation among
African countries in using resources, rather than competing. He noted Namibia’s
partnerships with other African countries in clean energy, including hydrogen
production, to support sustainable economic activities.
Belgium’s
Minister of Energy, Hon. Tinne Van Der Straeten, encouraged participants to
promote clean cooking energy to reduce poverty.
“Alternative
energy sources like hydrogen are crucial for lifting people out of poverty and
supporting broader development,” she said.
Tanzania
used the summit to learn about the benefits and challenges of using clean
hydrogen energy, drawing from the experiences of other countries.
During the
summit, Dr. Biteko and Vice President Nandi-Ndaitwah toured exhibitions
showcasing hydrogen technologies. They also held a private meeting to discuss
cooperation between Tanzania and Namibia.
Representing
the Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Dr. Biteko was joined by
Tanzania’s Ambassador to Namibia, Hon. Cesar Waitara, Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Energy, Hon. Felchesmi Mramba, and Commissioner for Electricity
and Renewable Energy, Hon. Innocent Luoga.