African Green Hydrogen: EU’s Hopes Face Cost Hurdles - ISSUE #54☕

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From global tech shifts to homegrown breakthroughs, we bring you the stories shaping our world today:

 African Green Hydrogen: EU’s climate hopes hit cost reality.
Namibia to Host Commonwealth Trade Summit: A major diplomatic and business milestone.
Andrada Mining Moves Forward: Lithium exploration and plant construction gain momentum.
 Google’s New AI Tool: Introducing the era of the "Machine Web."
 Namibia Mourns with India: Nation expresses solidarity after tragic Air India jet crash.

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

African Green Hydrogen: EU’s Hopes Face Cost Hurdles

Study Reveals Higher Costs for African Hydrogen Exports to Europe

The European Union’s ambitious push to import affordable green hydrogen from Africa to decarbonise its industries is facing unexpected financial headwinds. A new study from the Technical University of Munich finds that producing and shipping green hydrogen from Africa to Europe is likely to be more expensive than previously projected, challenging the EU’s strategy to secure low-cost, clean energy imports.

Cost Competitiveness Under Pressure

The report, ‘Mapping the Cost Competitiveness of African Green Hydrogen Imports to Europe’, highlights that high interest rates are inflating financing costs for developers—ranging from 8% to 27% depending on the country and project. This is significantly higher than the 4% to 8% range assumed in earlier models. As a result, the cheapest hydrogen produced in Africa for export to Europe would cost €4.9 per kilogramme without European policy support. With full government backing, including price guarantees and purchase agreements, that price could drop to €3.8 per kilogramme. Even under the most favourable scenarios, African hydrogen faces stiff competition from European producers.

EU’s Investment in Namibia and Beyond

Despite these challenges, the EU is pressing ahead with investments. The bloc has committed €50 million to renewable hydrogen funds in Namibia and South Africa, with €25 million earmarked for the SDG Namibia One Fund—targeting a $1 billion blended finance goal for green hydrogen projects. Technical assistance and grants, including a recent N$508 million contribution from the EU and The Netherlands, aim to boost Namibia’s hydrogen sector. Over 70 potential supply regions have been identified across Africa, with bilateral agreements already in place, notably between the EU and Namibia.

Project Pipeline: Ambition Meets Reality

African nations are developing domestic green hydrogen strategies focused on export, with about 34 projects across seven countries. However, 89% of these are still at the concept or feasibility stage. Only two projects have reached financial investment decisions and are under construction; just one small-scale (3.5MW) project in South Africa is operational. Project sizes range from 3.5MW to 6.9GW, with Mauritania planning three large-scale projects totaling 7GW.

Bottom Line

Africa’s green hydrogen export dream is real but remains costly and complex. While the EU’s financial and technical support is accelerating project development, high financing costs and global competition mean African hydrogen may not be as cheap as hoped. For now, the continent’s hydrogen revolution is more promise than pipeline—but with continued investment and policy support, that could change.

The Namibian

Namibia to Host Landmark Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting and Business Summit

Windhoek prepares for historic CTMM and inaugural business summit, spotlighting trade, investment, and Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions.

Namibia Steps onto the Global Stage

Namibia is set to host the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM) and the first-ever Commonwealth Business Summit (CBS) from 16 to 20 June 2025. This marks the first time the CTMM will be held outside London, signaling Namibia’s rising profile in international trade.

Deputy Executive Director of International Relations and Trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, confirmed that trade ministers from across the Commonwealth will gather in Windhoek to discuss trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The summit offers Namibia a unique platform to showcase its investment potential and leadership in fostering intra-Commonwealth trade.

Driving Intra-Commonwealth Trade

A key focus of the CTMM will be on increasing trade among Commonwealth nations. Recent studies show that tariffs within the bloc have dropped by 21% in recent years, and discussions will explore further reductions to boost economic ties.

As the first African country to host the CTMM, Namibia underscores its status as a pivotal player in global trade. The event is expected to highlight Namibia’s growing influence and its commitment to economic integration.

Business Summit to Foster Resilience

Running alongside the CTMM, the inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit (18-20 June) will convene around 300 delegates from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Themed “Fostering Resilience: Strengthening Intra-Commonwealth Trade and Investment Linkages,” the summit will provide a platform for Namibian businesses to engage with global investors and partners.

Key topics include digital transformation, inclusive growth, regional integration, and strategies for a resilient Commonwealth future.

Green Hydrogen: Opportunity and Challenge

The European Union (EU) has set its sights on affordable green hydrogen from Africa, including Namibia, to help decarbonize European industries. However, a new study by the Technical University of Munich warns that producing and exporting green hydrogen from Africa may be costlier than anticipated. High financing costs—ranging from 8% to 27%—could push prices up to €4.9 per kilogramme without policy support, making competitiveness a challenge even under favorable conditions.

Despite these hurdles, the EU has invested €50 million in renewable hydrogen funds in Namibia and South Africa, with the SDG Namibia One Fund aiming to raise $1 billion for green hydrogen projects. Additional grants and technical assistance from the EU and The Netherlands further underscore Namibia’s role in the emerging green hydrogen economy.

Project Pipeline and Policy Push

African nations, including Namibia, are advancing domestic green hydrogen strategies focused on export. Of 34 projects across seven countries, most remain at the concept or feasibility stage, with only a handful reaching financial closure or construction. Namibia’s proactive policies and international partnerships position it at the forefront of Africa’s green hydrogen push.

The Bottom Line

Namibia’s hosting of the CTMM and CBS signals a new era for the country as a hub for trade, investment, and innovation. As global delegates convene in Windhoek, Namibia stands ready to balance tradition and transformation—showcasing its economic potential and green ambitions to the world.

The Namibian

Andrada Mining Advances Lithium Exploration and Plant Construction in Namibia

Stage One Exploration Underway at Lithium Ridge

Andrada Mining has commenced stage one exploration at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, marking a strategic move to diversify into battery minerals. This campaign follows approval of the workplan and budget by the joint development committee with Chilean lithium producer SQM. The exploration is funded through a N$124-million facility. Senior executives from both companies visited the site in May, reaffirming their commitment to the project.

Pilot Plant Development Discussions Ongoing

Commercial talks are in progress regarding the development of a lithium pilot plant, signaling progress toward operationalizing lithium extraction.

New Jig Plant Construction at Uis Mine

Alongside lithium ambitions, Andrada is advancing construction of a new jig plant at its flagship Uis mine. The front-end crushing circuit has been delivered, and fabrication of key components is underway. Civil works are complete, targeting initial production in the second half of 2025. Components for the pre-concentration circuit, including Metso crushers and ore sorters, have arrived and await installation pending system re-engineering.

Operational Excellence and Strategic Focus

CEO Anthony Viljoen states, “Construction of the new jig plant is advancing well. As we look ahead, Andrada remains focused on operational excellence, disciplined capital deployment, and the strategic development of our diversified critical minerals portfolio.”

Strong Q1 Operational Performance

For the first quarter ending 31 May 2025, ore processed at Uis rose 7% year-on-year to 254,745 tonnes, supported by upgrades to the Dense Media Separation circuit and new shaking tables under the continuous improvement 2 (CI2) program. Tin concentrate output increased 11% to 405 tonnes, while contained tin production rose 2% to 238 tonnes. Plant utilization improved to 93%, and processing rates climbed 6% to 142 tonnes per hour. The average tin grade declined 4% to 0.136% due to blended ore use but slightly improved from the previous quarter. Higher throughput offset the lower grade.

Byproduct and Financial Highlights

Saleable tantalum concentrate production increased to 12.1 tonnes from 8.6 tonnes the previous year, with around 10 tonnes shipped to offtake partner Afrimet. Financially, Andrada benefited from a 7% year-on-year rise in the average tin price to N$585,695 per tonne. C1 costs fell 11% quarter-on-quarter to N$335,485, C2 costs declined 3% to N$428,464, and all-in sustaining costs dropped 2% to N$514,723 per tonne.

Cost Reduction and Profitability Initiatives

Viljoen notes, “Operational cost performance improved overall, driven by ongoing proactive cost-reduction initiatives expected to enhance cash flows over the year. This includes completion of a group-wide corporate restructuring to rationalize costs and strengthen profitability.”

This summary reflects Andrada Mining’s ongoing efforts to expand its lithium portfolio while enhancing operational efficiency and financial performance at its Uis mine.

The Namibian

TECH

Google's New AI Tool: Ushering in the "Machine Web" Era

Google is introducing a new AI feature on its search engine called AI Mode, which promises to transform how people interact with the internet. Unlike previous AI Overviews that supplemented search results, AI Mode replaces traditional search listings with AI-generated mini-articles answering user queries. This marks a radical shift in online search experiences and signals the dawn of the "machine web."

The Traditional Web Model Under Threat

Historically, websites have allowed search engines like Google to index their content for free, in exchange for traffic that generates ad revenue and sales. With about 68% of internet activity starting via search engines—90% of which is on Google—this symbiotic relationship has fueled the web's growth for decades.

However, AI Mode could disrupt this balance by reducing traffic to independent websites, potentially undermining the business model that supports millions of content creators and publishers. SEO expert Lily Ray warns that if AI Mode becomes the default, it could devastate the internet's economic ecosystem by cutting publishers' main revenue source.

Google's Perspective: Enhancing the Web

Google counters these concerns, asserting that AI Mode and similar AI features will make the web healthier by expanding the types of questions users can ask and creating new opportunities for content discovery. The company emphasizes its ongoing commitment to sending billions of clicks to websites daily and believes AI Mode will drive higher-quality traffic.

The Future of Online Discovery

While social media and subscription-based sites continue to thrive, the "open web" of freely accessible independent websites faces unprecedented challenges. Experts predict a significant transformation in how information is found and consumed online, with some fearing a decline in quality and diversity of content.

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai introduced AI Mode as a "total reimagining of Search" at the company’s 2025 developer conference, signaling a major shift in the digital landscape.

Bottomline

• Google's AI Mode replaces traditional search results with AI-generated answers, reshaping online search fundamentally.

• This shift threatens the current web economy by potentially reducing traffic to independent websites reliant on search-driven revenue.

• Google maintains AI Mode will enhance user experience and support content discovery.

• The coming years will likely see a profound transformation in how people access and interact with online information, marking the end of an era for the traditional web model.

Your digital experience may never be the same again.

Google

INTERNATIONAL

Namibia Mourns with India After Air India Jet Crash

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended heartfelt condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the families affected by the devastating Air India Jet AI171 crash near Ahmedabad Airport in Western India.

She emphasized that the tragedy not only grieves the Indian nation and all those on board but also deeply pains the people of Namibia, highlighting the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Namibia Shares in India’s Grief

The president affirmed that Namibian citizens stand in solidarity with India during this time of sorrow.

Details of the Crash

The London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday. Local police have recovered 204 bodies from the crash site. It remains unclear how many of the victims were passengers or individuals on the ground. Authorities confirmed one survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national.

— Additional reporting: BBC

The Bottom Line

Namibia stands united with India in mourning the victims of the Air India tragedy, reaffirming the strength of their bilateral ties during this difficult time.

The Namibia