The soil of Namibia just gained a new stake in the future of food security and low carbon industry. At a high energy groundbreaking ceremony, Daures Green Hydrogen took the next decisive step toward building an 80,000-ton ammonium sulphate fertiliser plant, a development that could reshape the country’s role in regional fertiliser supply and create jobs in the Erongo Region.
This is not a small pilot project. It is a strategic industrial investment that ties green hydrogen technology to practical, everyday needs on the farm. It also answers a persistent regional problem: southern Africa consumes roughly 4.5 million tonnes of fertiliser each year while only about 7 percent of that demand is produced locally. Daures wants to change that math.
A staged, pragmatic approach to production
DCEO Jerome Namaseb told guests that Daures Green Hydrogen will phase its rollout. By the end of 2026 the company aims to produce 400 to 800 tonnes of the first low carbon synthetic fertiliser in southern Africa. The plan is to scale quickly from that initial production into commercial volumes so that by early 2027 Namibia will be in a position to sell low carbon ammonium sulphate across the region.
That staged timeline matters. It gives the project time to prove plant performance, refine supply chains, and train local staff while carefully ramping output. It also allows international partners and regulators to validate environmental safeguards and product quality before full scale operations begin.
Green hydrogen meets agribusiness
What makes this project distinct is its green hydrogen backbone. Using low carbon hydrogen to make ammonium fertiliser significantly cuts lifecycle emissions compared with conventional, fossil fuel intensive processes. Minister of Agriculture Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi praised the plant for supporting a green, low carbon industrial model that aligns with national goals. At the same time she cautioned against over relying on synthetic fertilisers for food security and called for balanced approaches that include sustainable soil practices and integrated agricultural strategies.
The project also received practical backing from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and other international partners, which offered technical and commercial support during the early development phase. That kind of institutional endorsement will help attract the further finance and expertise needed to reach full capacity.
Local impact, national pride
Erongo Region governor Natalia Goagoses said the plant is something every Namibian should be proud of. She highlighted the potential for local job creation and direct contributions to poverty reduction, both priorities in the sixth National Development Plan. Governor Goagoses urged traditional leaders and local councils to actively collaborate with the project so communities can fully benefit from the economic opportunities on their doorstep.
That local engagement will be essential if the project is to translate investment into sustained livelihoods. Construction alone will create skilled and semi skilled jobs, and long term operation will demand technicians, logistics staff and plant operators. Downstream, more reliable local fertiliser supply could help farmers reduce input costs and plan with greater certainty.
A chance to capture regional markets
Analysts see a clear commercial opportunity. Southern Africa imports the bulk of its fertiliser needs, exposing farmers and buyers to foreign exchange volatility and supply chain interruptions. If Daures can scale production and maintain competitive pricing, Namibia will be well placed to capture regional market share and reduce dependence on imports from distant suppliers.
That potential is attractive to policymakers because local production keeps value within the region and creates tax and employment benefits. It is also attractive to buyers who prefer shorter, more traceable supply chains and products with lower carbon footprints.
Practical risks and sensible mitigations
Large industrial projects always carry risks. Feedstock supply, energy availability, project finance and market acceptance are practical hurdles. Environmental and social safeguards must be robust to guard against soil and water impacts and to ensure local communities share the benefits.
The smart move is to combine industrial progress with strong governance. That means transparent community engagement, rigorous environmental monitoring, training programs for local employees, and phased finance structures that link new capacity to verified demand. It also means pairing fertiliser production with broader measures to promote soil health and sustainable farming practices.
A balanced view from the ministry
Minister Zaamwani-Kamwi’s caution about relying too heavily on synthetic inputs is important. Synthetic fertilisers are powerful productivity tools, but they are not a substitute for integrated soil management. Namibia will need to use this new production capability to complement organic soil improvement, crop rotation and water efficient farming techniques if it wants lasting gains in food security.
Final thought
Breaking ground is only the beginning. If Daures Green Hydrogen follows through on its production targets, sustains its environmental commitments and partners effectively with local communities and farmers, Namibia could become a regional hub for low carbon fertiliser. That outcome would be a win for jobs, for agriculture and for a greener industrial future in southern Africa.
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