#ExportingSunlight
James Mnyupe is the Economic Adviser to the Namibian President and concurrently holds the portfolio of Namibiaʼs Green Hydrogen Commissioner. James contributes to the nationʼs strategic planning process that aims to augment Namibiaʼs macro-economic structure with the goal of diversifying Namibiaʼs exports and buttressing the economyʼs ability to weather exogenous shocks.
He has been instrumental unlocking concessionary blended financing capital, to enable the construction of strategic assets of regional importance, that provide a strong foundation for the upcoming wave of low carbon manufacturing in Namibia. Mr. Mnyupe holds an Executive Certificate in Economic Development from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and is a CFA Charter holder.
David is a Mining Engineer, Financial/Investment Analyst, Strategy Specialist with over 9 years professional working experience in Namibia across sectors like mining, private equity, financial services and business strategy. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering (Mining Engineering) from the University of Witwatersrand as well as a Master of Business Management and Administration (MBA) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa.
Prior to joining the NGH2P, he was the Executive Assistant to the Group CEO and was the Group Strategy Analyst at Old Mutual Namibia, a position he held for 3 years. Prior to that he held several positions including: Analyst at Eos Capital, Senior Engineer at Swakop Uranium as well as Mining Engineer at Skorpion Zinc Mine.
As the Executive Assistant to the Head of the NGH2P, he playing a critical role in supporting the Green Hydrogen Commissioner to execute on the mandate of the NGH2P and its strategic objectives. This ranges from providing administrative services, contributing to operational efficiency within the office, becoming a full-time GH2 brand ambassador for the country.
Joseph, an accomplished professional has over 18 years working experience across various sectors, 15 of which are at a managerial level, where he has been responsible for strategy development and execution. Before joining the NGH2P, Joseph was the Manager for Institutional Client Services at Allan Gray Namibia where he was primarily responsible for managing engagements with institutional clients as well as business development.
Prior to joining Allan Gray Namibia, he was a Regional Director overseeing operations in Namibia, Eswatini, and Botswana for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundations. His strategic vision and dedication have contributed to youth development and entrepreneurship in the three countries. Before this, Joseph held several managerial positions at the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), one of which was as the General Manager: National Training Fund, where he led the development and successful implementation of the National Training Fund and Training Levy. Joseph holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Namibia (UNAM) and a Master of Business Administration from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).
As the Head of Planning, Policy & Strategy, Joseph works closely with the Head of Programme in the conception and execution of the strategy. He is responsible for the development, design and implementation of strategic plans across the units and set and monitor relevant budgets. He is also responsible for defining operational policy mandates which outline the roles and mandates of the various parties in decision making.
Eline holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Development Economics and has over 25 years technical and executive experience in various economic sectors in Namibia and the Southern African Region. She has a strong track record in economic research and programming for development, including trade and industrial development, economic and business transformation, programme execution, and impact investing across public and private sector portfolios. The transformation space is where she makes valuable impacts. Eline has extensive experience in the state-owned enterprise sector, payment-for-results in donor support delivery, and performance management – all guided by good governance and sustainability objectives. She has worked with multiple development agencies (including IMF, World Bank, International Finance Corporation, European Union, USAID, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation), is experienced in stakeholder consultations and has led interdisciplinary consulting teams.
As the Head: IESG, she ensures that the green hydrogen/industrialisation drive in Namibia will deliver sustainable socio-economic impact while observing best governance practices. She also provides specialist advisory services to the green hydrogen/industrialization ecosystem and ensure IESG compliance throughout the value chain. The ultimate objective is to realize transformational development of green hydrogen/industrialization in Namibia within IESG safeguards
Nikol is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) holder and investment professional specialising in the green transition. She also holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Cape Town. She has worked in various sectors in South Africa, London and Germany. Nikol assists Saffron Wealth Asset Management as a part-time strategic advisor, providing global macro direction and fixed income portfolio positioning. She most recently worked as a Senior Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and fund advisor at Waterworks Offshore (Zech Holdings GmbH), which is a private equity advisory focusing on the offshore renewable industry and related sectors.
Nikol has been involved with financing the accompanying maritime and infrastructure opportunities as well as providing M&A expertise in this space. Her experience has been largely on the buy side, having previously worked at Marine Capital and Borealis Maritime, in London, specialising in green maritime and fuels investment strategy. Before joining the maritime and infrastructure world, she worked as a macro strategist, specialising in alpha generation, across asset classes and geography, as well as focusing on green thematic trade ideas.
As the Head: Transactions, she is primarily responsible for the implementation and coordination of the full tendering process applied on the NGH2P’s portfolio of projects. She is also responsible for the development and implementation of transaction and procurement policies, establishing good governance principles and ensuring appropriate risk management frameworks are embedded within all day- to-day transactions carried out under the remit of the Transaction Management Unit. In addition, she liaises with bidders, external regulatory bodies, and project managers to ensure that crucial project deadlines are met. Moreover, her unit aids with the mobilization of finance, the creation of de-risking financial instruments and assisting with the creation of supportive market mechanisms.
Theopolina is a civil engineer and project finance advisor with significant expertise in infrastructure development across all project phases. With a diverse skill set encompassing structural design, infrastructure asset management, infrastructure finance, and heavy civil works within the oil and gas industry and transportation engineering, she has made significant contributions to both brownfield and greenfield projects across Europe and Africa. Her advisory expertise extends to navigating challenges in public-private partnerships for large-scale infrastructure projects, spanning transportation, energy, and ICT infrastructure. She has worked in the engineering and finance industries in various technical and managerial roles in Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the UK, successfully delivering projects for a range of clients such as Shell, British Petroleum (BP), Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and private equity firms.
Theopolina has also served as a lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), sharing her practical insights and knowledge with aspiring engineers. Theopolina holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from NUST, a master’s degree in civil engineering from Aachen University in Germany, and a Master of Science Degree in Economics, Finance, and Management from the University of Bristol in the UK. She is currently at the cusp of completing her Ph.D. in Sustainable Infrastructure Investment and Finance at Swansea University in the UK.
The Head of Technical and Construction role involves overseeing various technical and construction aspects of the programme, staying at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing resources effectively, mitigating risks, and continuously optimizing operations through innovation and sustainable practices.
Roswitha holds a B.Juris and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Namibia (UNAM) as well as a Master of Laws degree, specializing in International Trade, Business and Investment Law from the University of the Western Cape. Roswitha was born and raised in the dusty streets of Khorixas in the Kunene Region, but also prides herself of her maternal heritage stemming from the southern part of Namibia. She is an admitted Legal Practitioner with close to 19 years of experience in various disciplines of law. Prior to joining the NGH2P, she held the position of Deputy Chief: Legal Advice in the Ministry of Justice. She has vast experience in conducting in-depth legal research; legal writing; legal advice; law reform; interpretation of the law; scrutiny, interpretation and drafting of contractual arrangements; compliance; ethic; and governance matters. She has avid exposure to management, change and resilient leadership. Roswitha is highly dependable, analytical, diligent and a good team player.
As the Head: Legal, she is leading all legal affairs pertaining to the NGH2P’s activities through the provision of legal advice and services to NGH2P and its key stakeholders. She ensures the Programme’s compliance with all relevant legislation and regulation including national and international frameworks and best practice. She plays a critical role in the establishment of the Programme and related projects through the assessment of contractual implications and development of legal documents and standards. In addition, her unit represents the NGH2P in all matters pertaining to its legal affairs, handle regulatory matters with due diligence and ensure the protection of the organisation’s interests.
Nerago is a Project and Change Management Specialist with 15 years of work experience in the fields of Project Management, Change Management, Corporate Governance and Sustainable Development. Sectors she has worked in include International Consulting, Academia (lecturing), the Information Technology sector, the Mining Sector, Financial Services regulation and Civil Aviation regulation. In terms of work experience, she has served as the Senior Manager Projects for Namibia Civil Aviation Authority where she was also the Acting Corporate Secretary, and prior to that being tasked with managing Strategic Projects for the financial services regulator in Namibia (NAMFISA). She was also employed by Teck Resources Ltd, an international mining company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada conducting Copper exploration activities in Namibia, where she oversaw Social and Sustainable development. Prior to her employment there she was employed by AREVA Resources Namibia (now known as Orano), a French Multinational specializing in Nuclear and Renewable Energy where she was responsible for identifying, defining, executing, monitoring and controlling sustainable development projects to fulfil the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.
She is the first female certified Project Management Professional (PMP) in Namibia and a certified Change Management Practitioner. She holds a National Diploma in Management, and a Bachelor of Technology in Project Management obtained from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in Cape Town. She also holds a Masters in Sustainability in the mining Context (CESTEMIN) from Ecole des Mines de Nancy in France.
As the Head: Programme Management, she leads the coordination of all programme activities aiding the timely delivery of key milestones and successful completion of programme objectives. She implements sound risk and progress reporting frameworks, regularly reporting on programme progress. She is also be responsible for the monitoring of objectives related to procurement and development across the program to assist in ensuring that targets are met in accordance with prescribed project budgets.
Jona brings with him nearly a decade of professional experience, having demonstrated exceptional communication skills during his tenure at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. His distinguished track record includes being named the Second-Best Public Relations Officer in Government in 2023 and 2024– a reflection of his ability to manage public engagement effectively and forge strategic relationships.
In addition to his practical experience, Jona holds an Honours Degree in Linguistics Studies: English, and an Honours Degree in Communication. He is currently completing a master’s degree in marketing at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), showcasing his ongoing commitment to advancing his professional skills.
As Manager for External Affairs and Communications, Jona is be responsible for leading the implementation of the NGH2P’s Stakeholder and Communications Strategy. His role involves strengthening the Programme’s visibility and acting as the primary liaison between the NGH2P and its stakeholders, both locally and globally.
Never miss news and updates about the Namibian Green Hydrogen sector.
Copyright 2024 – Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme