*Late President Hage Geingob of Namibia was a visionary leader with integrity and wise approach to building the country’s hydrocarbon and renewable energy sectors

NJ Ayuk

On Monday morning, February 4, 2024, many of us woke to the news of the tragic passing of Namibian President Hage Geingob.

The death of this great man and remarkable leader is a tremendous loss.

The African Energy Chamber extends our deepest sympathies, both to President Geingob鈥檚 family and to the people of Namibia.

It鈥檚 difficult to express how much President Geingob meant to us.

He spoke so glowingly about our work, and we looked to him with great respect.

I鈥檓 grateful that I got to see and hear him up close just a few months ago at African Energy Week (AEW).

We spent a lot of time talking that week, and I can honestly say that President Geingob was one of the funniest presidents I have met.

Not only that, but his memory, resolve, and intellectual depth were surreal. He was truly a deep thinker.

How ironic that he opened his speech at AEW with a tribute to former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who had just died.

And now, a few months later, President Geingob has gone on to his final rest.

Important place in history

When I think of President Geingob, my thoughts go to his recent accomplishments and the positive impact he made since he was elected to his first term in 2015.

I think about his visionary leadership, his integrity, and his wise approach to building Namibia鈥檚 hydrocarbon and renewable energy sectors. But his critical place in Namibia鈥檚 history was firmly cemented long before he became president.

Geingob was Namibia鈥檚 first Prime Minister . He took that role in 1990, immediately after the country gained independence from South Africa.

He served as Prime Minister until 2002, and again from 2008 to 2012. He also served as President of Namibia鈥檚 ruling SWAPO Party (The South West Africa People鈥檚 Organisation), which formed as a liberation movement in 1960 when Namibia (then known as South-West Africa) was under the administration of South Africa.

We are proud to offer the State of African Energy 2024 Outlook for download.

The report emphasises the pivotal role of knowledge and foresight in navigating the complex and dynamic energy landscape and equips stakeholders with the insights they need to make informed decisions in the year ahead.

As we venture into 2024, we are on the brink of making substantial strides in overcoming energy poverty through Africa and moving towards a more sustainable energy future.”

*NJ Ayuk is Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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