EU-Namibia enter second round of Global Gateway funding worth N$520m
Namibia and the European Union are engaging bilaterally on the programming of N$520 million (€26 million) in grants under the second phase of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for 2025–2027. The funding aims to support Namibia’s national priorities in areas such as green growth, water supply, sanitation, renewable energy and environmental protection.
The grants fall under the EU’s Global Gateway framework, building on the 2022 EU-Namibia Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding, which remains in force. The partnership was initiated under the leadership of the late President Hage Geingob, whose administration worked to position Namibia as a reliable partner in Europe’s green industrial transition.
Geingob’s efforts culminated in the signing of the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials, Green Hydrogen and Skills Development with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in November 2022. This landmark agreement anchored Namibia in the EU’s Global Gateway investment agenda.
The partnership, designed to promote sustainable economic growth and climate-resilient development, closely aligns with Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the objectives of the National Development Plan 6 (NDP6). It focuses on collaboration in green energy, value-chain integration, governance and social development through grants, investment facilitation and technical cooperation.
According to the National Planning Commission (NPC), the ongoing EU cooperation demonstrates the strength of Namibia’s international partnerships and the country’s commitment to aligning donor support with its development agenda.
“The €26 million allocation will directly contribute to priority sectors under NDP6, particularly renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion,” the NPC said, adding that bilateral programming with the EU ensures funding remains aligned with national frameworks and measurable outcomes.
Roadmap
Although President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was invited to last week’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Namibia was represented by Moses Pakote, executive director of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
The EU-Namibia partnership roadmap - covering value-chain integration, ESG cooperation, skills development, research, and regulatory alignment -continues to guide collaboration, with an extension currently under discussion.
Existing EU-supported programmes include the Livestock Support Programme in the Northern Communal Areas, with projects such as the Etunda feedlot in Omusati, the Opuwo slaughterhouse upgrade in Kunene, the construction of an Artificial Insemination Centre at Okapya in Oshikoto, agricultural infrastructure at Nkurenkuru in Kavango West, renovation of the Ncaute auction facility in Kavango East, and quarantine facilities in Katima Mulilo (Zambezi) and Omutambo Maowe (Omusati).
Other initiatives include the Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia Programme, supporting civil society and Parliament; Early Childhood Development and Pre-Primary Education initiatives; the Education Sector Reform Contract, focusing on constructing pre-primary classrooms; support for Vocational Education and Training, including technical assistance to the Namibia Training Authority to improve TVET offerings related to the green transition; and the Good Governance Programme, providing support to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The grants fall under the EU’s Global Gateway framework, building on the 2022 EU-Namibia Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding, which remains in force. The partnership was initiated under the leadership of the late President Hage Geingob, whose administration worked to position Namibia as a reliable partner in Europe’s green industrial transition.
Geingob’s efforts culminated in the signing of the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials, Green Hydrogen and Skills Development with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in November 2022. This landmark agreement anchored Namibia in the EU’s Global Gateway investment agenda.
The partnership, designed to promote sustainable economic growth and climate-resilient development, closely aligns with Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the objectives of the National Development Plan 6 (NDP6). It focuses on collaboration in green energy, value-chain integration, governance and social development through grants, investment facilitation and technical cooperation.
According to the National Planning Commission (NPC), the ongoing EU cooperation demonstrates the strength of Namibia’s international partnerships and the country’s commitment to aligning donor support with its development agenda.
“The €26 million allocation will directly contribute to priority sectors under NDP6, particularly renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion,” the NPC said, adding that bilateral programming with the EU ensures funding remains aligned with national frameworks and measurable outcomes.
Roadmap
Although President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was invited to last week’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Namibia was represented by Moses Pakote, executive director of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
The EU-Namibia partnership roadmap - covering value-chain integration, ESG cooperation, skills development, research, and regulatory alignment -continues to guide collaboration, with an extension currently under discussion.
Existing EU-supported programmes include the Livestock Support Programme in the Northern Communal Areas, with projects such as the Etunda feedlot in Omusati, the Opuwo slaughterhouse upgrade in Kunene, the construction of an Artificial Insemination Centre at Okapya in Oshikoto, agricultural infrastructure at Nkurenkuru in Kavango West, renovation of the Ncaute auction facility in Kavango East, and quarantine facilities in Katima Mulilo (Zambezi) and Omutambo Maowe (Omusati).
Other initiatives include the Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia Programme, supporting civil society and Parliament; Early Childhood Development and Pre-Primary Education initiatives; the Education Sector Reform Contract, focusing on constructing pre-primary classrooms; support for Vocational Education and Training, including technical assistance to the Namibia Training Authority to improve TVET offerings related to the green transition; and the Good Governance Programme, providing support to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
