ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY News & Analysis
RESILIENCE & RECOVERY
APRIL, 2021
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News & Analysis
From The Editor Quick Facts Economy at Large Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Roads & Transport ICT & Telecommunications Women In Industry Youth In Action Tenders and Careers COVID Update Contributing Authors
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C O N T EN T S
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY
APR 2021
FROM THE EDITOR RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.
PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone +264 61 400 171
EMAIL briefing@rdjconsulting.co.za WEBSITE www.rdjconsulting.co.za
RESILIENCE
&
RECOVERY
Dear Reader,
Welcome to our April 2021 edition! “Boosting Resilience and Recovery” is the theme that the Minister of Finance chose to present the 2021/22 National budget and encapsulated in the President’s Harambee Prosperity Plan II that reinforced the desire that the Namibian nation move this year “Towards Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth”. The themes clearly indicate a direction towards the aspirations expected from the different economic sectors starting this new financial year. There is no doubt that Namibia has the political will to develop a prosperous and sustainable economic future, which then means that the domestic economic sectors need to be well supported and allowed the opportunity to also compete in the international markets. The private sectors need to learn to adapt to the new economic realities, and government will need to practically support industries with forward looking policies in order to increase productivity. In this edition, we get a glimpse of the 2021/22
National Budget aspirations, as well as other developments across the world economy. Meanwhile the questions that remain are: Is the budget the way to achieve resilience in the industry? What else can be done to ensure resilience and a steady economic recovery? To read these and more, please continue to enjoy reading this Briefing and do join our conversations on Twitter and Wordpress. If you are new to the RDJ Briefing, subscribe to this FREE Publication at briefing@rdjconsulting.co.za and freely share the link with others that will benefit from its contents. Enjoy, #Stay Safe and note that your comments are always welcome….….
(David A. Jarrett) Editor
Authors RDJ Interns*
This report is a FREE Publication and was prepared by RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia. The content is collected from publicly available information and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
quick facts 2.3M
Population Size
66.6%
LTE
Telecom (sophistication)
2.575
Million Mobile(cell phones) Subscribers
Employment
Tourism, Mining, Fishing Industries
-1.1%
3.75%
7.50%
3.10%
GDP Growth (2019)
Interest rate (Prime)
89%
Literacy Rate
8.8M
Water availability (cubic litres/capita)
484.000
Electricity Gen. in MW (Local)
629.000
Electricity Demand in MW (all)
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Repo Rate
Inflation (CPI)July 2020
22 APRIL 2021
R D J
C E L E B R A T E S
EARTH DAY W W W . R D J C O N S U L T I N G . C O . Z A
APRIL, 2021
7
ECONOMY AT LARGE Namibia Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged to Support Domestic Economy
Credit: blog.ibanfirst.com
D
espite the South African Reserve Bank reducing their repurchase (Repo) rate to 3.5% in March 2021, the Bank of Namibia has decided to keep its
repo rate at 3.75%, with a zeal to maintain the peg between the Namibian Dollar (NAD) and the South African Rand and also to continue supporting the domestic economy. This was announced through a statement by the Monetary Policy Committee on 14th April, 2021. According to the Governor Bank of Namibia, the act of maintaining the repo rate at 3.75% was determined after analysing intercontinental, regional and local economic and financial developments. In the history of Namibia, 2020 was the worst year for the Namibian economy as it recorded a contraction of 8.0% in its economic growth, mainly caused by the impact of the Corona Virus (Covid19) which led to most sectors of the country being negatively affected.
On the 31st of March 2021, the stock of international reserves increased slightly N$0.3 billion by (from N$34.4 billion reported in February 2021 to N$34.7 billion in March). This increase was driven by an inflow of diamond sales, which to some degree was counterbalanced by the appreciation of the NAD against the USD. As of the beginning of April 2021, Namibia’s international reserves also increased to N$38. 7 billion due to payments received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Rapid Financing Instrument and SACU. With these few positive indicators, and the covid vaccines being administered, the economy is projected to grow by 2.7% in 2021.
Readings: https://economist.com.na/60612/markets/central-bank-keeps-reporate-unchanged-at-3-75/ https://www.bon.com.na/CMSTemplates/Bon/Files/bon.com.na/86/ 860de8b3-6fee-473b-b7d2-3b830aacb220.pdf
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MINISTRY OF FINANACE MINISTER Hon. Iipumbu W. Shiimi
FISCUS BUILDING
The Ministry of Finance is responsible for issues concerning central government finances, including coordination of the central government budget, forecasts and analyses, tax issues, and management and administration of central government activities. The Ministry is also responsible for matters concerning financial markets and consumer legislation.
VISION To be a dynamic and reputable institution excelling in fiscal and financial management.
MISSION We develop and administer fiscal and financial policies that ensure macro-economic stability, sustainable and equitable socio-economic development.
VALUES INTEGRITY We shall be honest, fair, respectful, transparent and consistent. LOYALTY We shall be committed to hard work and ensure that our actions are dedicated to the priorities and objectives of the Ministry. ACCOUNTABILITY We shall be answerable for our actions and responsive to our stakeholders. COMPETENCY We continuously improve on knowledge, skills and attitude and ensure quality service delivery.
CONTACTS Head Office: Moltke Street Private Bag 13295, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264-61-2099111 Web: https://mof.gov.na/home
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The 2021/2022 National Budget Update
I
t is a new financial year, and as usual, the Minister of Finance has once more presented the Namibian nation with the new National budget under the theme
“Boosting Resilience and Recovery”. The proposed expenditure for the financial year 2021/2022 which took place on 17 March 2021, amounted to N$67. 9 billion, a decrease of 5.8 percent from the preceding financial year (N$72.1 billion), netting off the special considerations of the past year and underscoring the urgency for a growthfriendly fiscal consolidation over the medium term. Furthermore, the Budget revenue is projected to decline by 6.1 percent to N$52.1 billion, from the estimated N$55.5 billion in 2020/21, mainly due to the expected contraction in SACU receipts. Over the remainder of the MTEF, revenue is forecast to gather pace at an average rate of 4.8 percent as domestic economic activity and regional trade pick up. With regards to the COVID Stimulus packages, in 2020, the Minister of Finance announced an N$8.1 billion COVID stimulus package which was further scaled up to N$9.1
billion. The packaged comprised of N$6.7 billion total budgetary allocation and N$2.4 billion Government guarantee-backed loans. The sectoral and some of the specific Vote allocations are outlined in the table seen below. According to Shiimi, despite the budget being presented amidst a global economic depreciation, he is positive that there will be moderate economic recovery this year and over the medium term. He also added that 2021 is a special year for Namibia and the African Continent at large as Africa launched the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area in January 2021. This launch marked a regional integration calendar and the creation of the single largest trading block in the world, measured by the number of the 55 participating countries, with a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion and a population of about 1.3 billion people.
Reading https://mof.gov.na/documents/35641/36583/Budget+Statement+2021_ 22.pdf/356d55a3-c7d5-fef1-941c-528b1baa787e
SECTORS
N$
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL ALLOCATION
Non- Interest Expenditure
31.9 billion
53.1
Public sector and Order
12.1 billion
20.3
Ministry of Home Affairs, Safety and Security
5.7 billion
9.6
Defence and Veteran Affairs
5.4 billion
9.1
11.7 billion
19.8
Transport
2.5 billion
4.2
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform
1.7 billion
2.9
Ministry of Finance
4.7 billion
7.9
733.4 million
1.2
Economic and Infrastructure sectors
Ministry of Public Enterprises Administrative Sector
4.0 billion
6.8
Urban and Rural Development
1.6 billion
2.7
International Relations and Cooperation
827.7 million
National Assembly
117.2 million
National Council
88.4 million
Contingency Fund
500.0 million
Credit: MOf Budget Statement 2021-22
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APRIL, 2021
Proposal to Change Individual Tax Tables ANNUAL INCOME
TAXABLE QUANTITY
0 - N$ 50 000
Not taxable
N$ 50 001 - N$ 100 000
N$ 0 + 17%
N$ 100 001 - N$ 300 000
N$ 8 500 + 25%
N$ 300 001 - N$ 500 000
N$ 58 500 + 28%
N$ 500 001 - N$ 800 000
N$ 114 500 + 30%
N$ 800 001 - N$ 1 500 000
N$ 204 500 + 32%
N$ 1 500 001 - N$ 2 500 000
N$ 428 500 + 39%
Over N$ 2 500 001
N$ 818 500 + 40%
Credit: MOf Budget Statement 2021-22 Source: https://www2.deloitte.com/na/en/pages/tax/articles/Deloitte-Namibia-Namibian-Budget-Guide-20201.html
Credit: Ministry of Finance
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APRIL, 2021
Harambee Prosperity Plan II Namibia on the Move? Key actions that are highlighted to provide energy and sustainability progression are oulined in the diagram below. The plan outlines some N$ 27 billion (USD 1.89 billion) of investments which in the face of domestic economic contraction during 2020 based on impacts both globally and regionally due to Covid -19. The sectors of Tourism and Transport were the hardest hit but without a doubt, this has hit all others as consumption slowed generally with telecommunications becoming the new reliant sector.
W
ith the launch of the Harambee Prosperity Plan II (HPP II) looking at a 2021 - 2025, Namibia has now outlined its pathway for the future and
stated its energy and sustainability components of the Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth plan. The HPP II is comprised of 5 Pillars covering Effective Governance, Economic Advancement, Social Progression, Infrastructure Development and International Relations and Cooperation. Each pillar aims to outline the aspirations for the Namibian people thus providing a resilient economy.
Strengthening public procurement mechanisms and agencies Improving performance of public offices and agencies Accelerate egovernment through the various e platforms Increase feedback and availability of Country Review Reports
Establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund Prioritize high employment projects Develop Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to increase delivery of public goods and services Attract private investments Green Hydrogen development
Major actions that investors for the energy sector will be geared for will be the generation plans of NamPower and the upcoming “solar” park hinted for the Karas region. This will unpack 300 MW of solar power along with green hydrogen development, placing Namibia in the forefront of alternative energy for the future.
Reading http://hppii.gov.na/wpcontent/uploads/2021/03/HPP2.pdf https://www.bon.com.na/CMSTemplates/Bon/Files/bon. com.na/86/860de8b3-6fee-473b-b7d23b830aacb220.pdf https://www.bon.com.na/
Sanitation and bulk (water and electricity) Improve nutrition Improve technical and vocational training
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Increase electricity generation Electrify 18 000 households Electrify 213 state facilities (Schools /Health Facilities) Completion of ongoing bitumen roads Completion of ongoing railway upgrading
AUGUST, 2020
OIL & GAS
2021 APRIL FUEL PRICES
N$ 13.15 per litre 95 Octane Unleaded Petrol
N$ 13.18 per litre Diesel 50ppm
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APRIL, 2021
Powering a Green Hydrogen Economy Workforce: What South Africa Needs to do now! SOUTH AFRICA AUTHORS: By Rucha Bhagat and Ndeapo Wolf
M
oving rapidly towards a green hydrogen economy would help South Africa secure its domestic energy supply and drive economic
growth through the export of green hydrogen powerfuels and technology to European and Asian markets. Solid investments in a post-pandemic green recovery through renewable energy generation and policy regulation could accelerate South Africa’s economic recovery. Countries on the African continent and across the world are looking to revitalise and rebuild their economies in the post-pandemic world. A critical way for South Africa to pursue this objective is by adopting a long-term green recovery strategy based on cleaner and more sustainable forms of energy. Green hydrogen, in particular, could be key to securing South Africa’s place in a post-normal world. Moderate estimates indicate that the country has the potential to be an important player in the green hydrogen economy (GHE) and could secure 10% of the global export market share. South Africa is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources for both onshore and offshore power generation. It is also possible to generate significantly more electricity from wind and solar PV energy than is needed by the country, even when considering spatial exclusion zones. The presence of hydrogen in South Africa’s energy mix is not new. Sasol has been producing hydrogen-rich gas from coal to produce liquid fuels for decades. However, opportunities for South Africa lie in innovating, cleaning and decarbonising hydrogen use. Green hydrogen is produced from water by renewablespowered electrolysis, with water being the only byproduct irrespective of how the gas is used. In addition to optimal environmental conditions for renewable energy generation, South Africa is also well positioned to pursue green hydrogen technology due to its vast reserves of platinum group metals (PGMs). PGMs are critical as they are used in proton exchange membrane electrolysers needed to produce green hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells in electric vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cells can generate power and provide
heating in a wide range of industrial, agricultural, commercial and residential applications. Countries such as Japan and Korea, as well as parts of Europe, have limited resources to competitively produce green hydrogen powerfuels and are likely to import them from potential producers such as South Africa. A recent report by PwC South Africa highlighted the immense potential of the GHE to create long-term jobs and open the market for substantial investment. If harnessed effectively, the GHE would help South Africa secure its domestic energy supply, while also driving economic growth through the export of green hydrogen powerfuels and technology applications to European and Asian markets. Solid investments in a post-pandemic green recovery through renewable energy generation and policy regulation could accelerate South Africa’s economic recovery. A just transition Covid-19 has dramatically exacerbated South Africa’s socioeconomic malaise, with the unemployment rate rising to 32.5% in the last quarter of 2020. There is growing evidence that South Africa can significantly boost employment along the renewable energy value chain, including the GHE. A 2019 study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Germany-based Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies estimates that up to 1.6 million jobs can be created in South Africa through energy sector transformation by 2050. Existing government strategies such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme have already demonstrated the potential for localised job creation through the green economy in South Africa, with close to 40,000 job-years created in early 2019. However, the majority of these new jobs are expected to be categorised as skilled, requiring either university education or vocational training. Given the estimation that one third of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in South Africa are unemployed, there is clearly a critical skills gap between industry demands and the public college offering.
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Image curtesy of: /motonom.com
The importance of aligning the country’s TVET college system with real industry needs and opportunities to improve labour absorption in the future green economy cannot be overstated; specifically in offering the right qualifications and turning out enough graduates for every hydrogen fuel cell technology application and sectorspecific skills requirement. Sectoral job opportunities in the future GHE for skilled graduates are expected to range from operations, maintenance, management of PGM mining, refining and beneficiation, transportation, construction, to industrial manufacturing. A sectoral alignment with industryspecific requirements will also facilitate a just labour transition, where potential job losses in the traditional coal mining industry, for example, are mitigated through the upskilling, retraining and onboarding of workers in the green economy. A key priority for South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is to grow demand for the GHE, while simultaneously ensuring a jobs pipeline to secure a just energy and just labour transition. Climate commitments through domestic policies such as the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan, the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan and the Hydrogen Society Roadmap (the latter two are currently in development) — and through international conventions such as the Paris Agreement — echo this urgency. Embracing bold and hopeful hydrogen futures As we accelerate towards the climate emergency amid the backdrop of a global pandemic and an ongoing energy and unemployment crisis in South Africa, it is important to imagine bold and hopeful futures that embrace systemic innovations to enable a just transition.
The government’s development of the aforementioned climate-focused policies signals strategic decisionmaking that will help the local hydrogen economy grow into a global and commercially attractive prospect. The government has been germinating the seeds of the hydrogen economy since 2008 with the establishment of the Hydrogen South Africa (HYSA) programme. Given the recent announcement of plans for a platinum/hydrogen industrial cluster by the DSI, it is evident that the South African government recognises the country’s unique position to grow the hydrogen economy and our footprint in global value chain fuel cell markets while meeting domestic job creation needs. The role of South Africa’s TVET system in ensuring both a sustainable energy and labour transition cannot be understated. The eagerly awaited finalisation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap and South African Renewable Energy Masterplan will set the pace for the country’s creation of a sustainable workforce that is inclusive and green-growth oriented. Rucha Bhagat is a programme mentor and Ndeapo Wolf is a Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholar at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). SAIIA is leading a project to boost the capacity of TVET colleges to train a GHE workforce. Funded by the United Kingdom’s Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions programme in South Africa (South Africa-UK PACT), the year-long initiative includes KPMG South Africa’s Mobility Team 2030, the University of Cape Town’s Energy Research Centre, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies and Bambili Advisory as project partners. Originally published 30 March 2021 at: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-30-powering-a-greenhydrogen-economy-workforce-what-south-africa-needs-to-do-now/
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APRIL, 2021
RENEWABLE ENERGY Competitive Renewables Wipe Decades Off Economic Life of Australia’s Longest Gas Pipeline By IEEFA guest contributor Peter Milne who covers energy in Western Australia at Boiling Cold. Originally printed April 16, 2021
E
conomic regulators in Western Australia are grappling with what to do with a gas pipeline that faces the prospect of its economics failing before
the steel and compressors. A recent regulatory skirmish over the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) finished in a draw, but the fight revealed cracks in the business case for gas pipeline ownership that will only grow. The DBNGP is not just any pipeline. It is Australia’s longest at more than 1500km and was the foundation of a massive LNG export industry. In the late 1970s, the WA State Government took a huge financial punt to back the DBNGP to connect undeveloped offshore fields in the north with industry in the south. The State Energy Commission built the pipeline and signed 20year take or pay gas contracts it then had insufficient market for. Revenue from the gas that first flowed from the North West Shelf (NWS) project in 1984 bankrolled the construction of Australia’s first LNG trains. Today NWS operator Woodside is an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) top 20 company; Australia vies with Qatar as the world’s largest LNG producer; and in WA gas fires a huge minerals processing industry and about 40 per cent of the electricity market.
access arrangements for 2021 to 2025. Chinese-owned Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) argued that the past practice of assigning 70-year lives to all new investments was not realistic now gas had competition. “While the costs of renewable energy remain (only just) more expensive than natural gas for power generation, and hydrogen is more expensive than natural gas for other uses like heat and chemical processes, the costs of these substitutes are falling rapidly,” AGIG’s January 2020 submission stated. If nothing changed, spend on the pipeline made at the end of the 2021 to 2025 period under review would not be fully depreciated until 2095. The rise of renewable energy would make the pipeline uneconomic well before then. The question was when. AGIG argued for regulatory economic life to end in 2059. After a year of voluminous submissions from AGIG and numerous customers, the WA Economic Regulation Authority settled on 2063. While 2063 is a long way off, the decision almost halved the depreciation period for capital spending in 2025 from 70 to 38 years. When the next five-year access period is adjudicated in 2026, the end of economic life could well be brought forward to 2050 if Australia gets serious about the Paris Agreement. Investment at the end of the 2025 to 2030 access arrangement would then be depreciated over 20 years.
Potential doom loop for regulated gas pipelines Unlike the eastern states, WA has kept gas prices low by insisting the NWS and later LNG projects reserved some gas for the domestic market. If the Australian Government’s hopes for a gas-fired recovery were to succeed anywhere, WA would be the place. However, a robust long-term role for gas was not the story the present owner of the DBNGP told the WA Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) when it pitched its case for www.rdjconsulting.co.za
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Cusworth said the ERA would discuss with the Australian Energy Market Commission whether current rules catered for the risk of stranded assets in an energy transition. Rule changes or not, gas pipeline owners and shippers face a more volatile future. “There has to be (more uncertainty), simply because the future of the market is unclear,” Cusworth said, who added that regulators were in a similar position. The ERA chair said to date, regulators aimed to prevent asset owners from making more than a normal rate of return on efficient investment.
70 years, 38 years, 20 years. The squeeze is on. Each cut in depreciation life increases the capital portion of the pipeline tariff, making transporting gas less affordable. That, in turn, could cut throughput, pushing up tariffs further. It is a potential doom loop for regulated gas pipelines, albeit a slow one. Pipeline operators enter uncharted territory Competition from renewable energy may not even allow pipelines to charge the tariff determined by the regulator. WA Economic Regulation Authority chair Nicky Cusworth said businesses that had expected to operate pipelines until the end of their economic lives in a regulated environment were entering uncharted territory. “We’re starting to see the combination of technological and policy changes feeding through into the life of regulated assets in ways that maybe weren’t envisaged when the regulations were first drawn up,” Cusworth said.
Cusworth said in North America, where the regulation of monopoly infrastructure is less adversarial, there is discussion that regulators adopt a second role: to allow investors to make a reasonable rate of return even if markets change. AGIG won the argument for a shorter depreciation life, but after a lower rate of return due to current interest rates was factored in, tariffs hardly moved. If depreciation accelerates in future decisions when interest rates could be higher, tariffs will rise significantly, giving customers more impetus to move from gas to renewables. In the Australian state where gas is most entrenched, lowrisk long-term gas infrastructure investments are slowly looking higher risk and shorter term.
Readings: https://ieefa.org/ieefa-competitive-renewables-wipe-decades-off-economiclife-of-australias-longest-gas-pipeline/ https://marketbusinessnews.com/financial-glossary/economic-life/
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APRIL, 2021
ROADS & TRANSPORT Transport Sustainability Closer than we think!
Mistsubishi SUV (Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) - Courtesy https://emobilityplus.com/)
T
ransport sustainability issues are constantly debated in terms of attaining eco-friendly bliss. There are the various quarters of society that believe it is either or but they are all wrong. Why do we say so? That is because technology already exists that allows us to maximize the use of available fuels so as to get the best of both worlds.
Beyond battery storage and motor power, there are various ways to combine the power from the electric motor and the engine. The two main configurations are parallel and series. Some PHEVs use transmissions that allow them to operate in either parallel or series configurations, switching between the two based on the drive profile.
In Africa, it is well known that rural infrastructure in most countries is lacking and so the availability of electricity will be a clear challenge to a purely electric vehicle and the matter of hybridization needs to be considered as an alternative by policy makers and manufacturers alike. The same challenge will occur initially with a rollout of hydrogen passenger vehicles, making re-fueling in rural areas a definite challenge.
Parallel hybrid operation connects the engine and the electric motor to the wheels through mechanical coupling. Both the electric motor and the engine can drive the wheels directly.
A number of options are on the market and when we say on the market, we mean that manufacturers are making the various options, but the challenge thus is to make them public knowledge and promoted by dealers. We have the hybrid vehicle which gets energy simultaneously or independently from a fossil fueled engine and an electric motor. These vehicles primarily extend the range of a purely fossil fueled equivalent model in most cases by 25% as our research shows. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a similar vehicle but with the option to use an external electricity source to charge the battery system and the batteries in such vehicles are designed to provide a range from pure electric operation. Fuel-Efficient System Design (Alternative Fuels Data Center extract)
Series plug-in hybrids use only the electric motor to drive the wheels. The internal combustion engine is used to generate electricity for the motor. Vehicles of this type are often referred to as extended-range electric vehicles. The electric motor drives the wheels almost all of the time, but the vehicle can switch to work like a parallel hybrid at highway speeds when the battery is depleted. With highly respected manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan, Suziuki, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and others providing these vehicles, shouldn’t the question really be why these vehicles are not more widely used? Thus, it is clear that Transport sustainability is Closer than we think!
Readings: https://emobilityplus.com/2021/03/01/mitsubishi-outlander-phev2021-now-offers-upgraded-powertrain-increased-electric-rangeand-greater-value/ https://thenewswheel.com/whats-the-difference-between-ahybrid-and-a-plug-in-hybrid/ https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_basics_phev.html
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The Future of Public Transport The Yutong Experience - Exports to Denmark After entering the Danish market for the first time in 2019, Yutong bus has again won the largest batch of full electric bus orders in Denmark. On February 3, 2021, 55 Yutong E12 full electric buses officially arrived in Denmark. At present, the vehicles being prepared are expected to be put into service successively in April. The vehicles are purchased by the Danish subsidiary of Keolis, the largest public transportation group in France. After the vehicles are put into service, the greenization of Danish public transportation will be greatly enhanced, and the local public transportation service will be further improved, providing a more pro-environmental and comfortable ride experience. In addition, Yutong also adjusted the adaptability of E12 model according to Denmark’s arctic local environment characteristics featuring heavy rain and snow to further meet the users’ needs.
P
ublic transport is a necessity especially in urban settings. Many see public transport as only for the poor or as an odd convenience, but the future requires efficiency in all things and travel is not exempt. Electric buses provide a clean mode of transportation for the public. Electric buses are now a norm in bus fleets, world over with buses in Chile, Bulgaria, Denmark, USA, UK, France, Germany and many other countries, carrying passengers daily. These buses carryout duties such as Coaches, School Buses, Inter-city Buses and City Buses.
Yutong, a Chinese e-vehicle manufacturer states that it has delivered some 41 000 buses worldwide in 2020, noting that this was during the midst of the pandemic. Yutong puts one of its 12m busses to require 422 KWh of energy storage and a 300 km range on a full charge. This is comparable to the needs of the City of Windhoek’s fleet and well within range, thus the future of public transport is here!
Readings: https://en.yutong.com/pressmedia/yutongnews/2021/2021AHNebeLoUY.html https://en.yutong.com/pressmedia/yutongnews/2021/2021CIPSPDbdsS.html https://en.yutong.com/technology/new-energy-buses/ https://en.yutong.com/res/template/pcen2019/resource/images/te chnology/tech06_03.jpg
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APRIL, 2021
ICT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS Regulation for SIM Card Registration to be Implemented Soon (NAMIBIA)
Image curtesy of: www.telpo.com.cn
O
n 15th March 2021, the Government of Namibia passed a new regulation for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards. The new regula-tion stipulates that mobile telecommunication users, both locals and foreign nationals will have to register their SIM cards in the near future. This is in accordance with section 77 of the communications Act of 2009.
five years from the date of registration. According to this regulation, the Namibian Police or the Namibia Central Intelligence Service will have to get authorisation from a judge or magistrate to obtain client information from service providers.
According to Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, this rule is necessary as the crime rate in Namibia is on the rise. He also added that the new regulation was established in consultation with the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, the director general of the Namibia Central Intelligence Service, and all affected telecommunications service providers.
The benefits of SIM card registration include: Facilitation of citizens’ access to e-Government services. Easy identification of an individual’s mobile number and number portability when switching networks. It aids combating cybercrime including terrorism by limiting covert communication Promotes good relations between consumers and service providers by simplifying identification of consumers and their use of SIM services.
MTC’s chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer, explained that MTC has been encouraging clients to register their sim cards voluntarily before this initiative was introduced. The day of putting this new rule into action is yet to be announced. Once it comes in action, service providers will store all customers' information for a period of at least
Benefits of SIM card registration
Readings: https://www.namibian.com.na/100260/read/No-registration-noSIM-card https://cipesa.org/2018/04/the-stampede-for-sim-cardregistration-a-major-question-forafrica/#:~:text=The%20benefits%20of%20SIM%20card,number%20 portability%20when%20switching%20networks.
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APRIL, 2021
Airtel Zambia Signs Memorandum of Understanding Agreement With Infratel
21
Bridging the Digital Divide with Telecom (NAMIBIA)
(ZAMBIA)
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nfrastructure, affordability, and consumer readiness are among some of the essential elements in order for mobile internet to thrive in a country. Infrastruct-ure being one of the key elements to the growth in adoption of mobile internet usage, has seen Infratel Corporation Limited and Airtel Networks Zambia Plc sign a long-term tower colocation agreement that will allow Airtel to lease multiple installation ready towers across ten provinces in Zambia.
The Memorandum of Understanding agreement allows Airtel to use Infratel’s telecommunication tower infrastructure, to aid Airtel Zambia in expanding its 4G reach and improving its services in areas already covered. Speaking on behalf of Airtel Zambia, Supply Chain Director Mr. Martin Jowi said, “that the partnership would enable the Company to focus its energy and resources on product and service innovation to enhance the customer experience for all Zambians.” The economic benefits of connectivity and access to the internet are well documented. Mobile internet connectivity has brought about material increases in productivity, providing more efficient ways for consumers, workers, and businesses to trade, communicate and access information. The economic impact of mobile is also reflected in the industry’s contribution to the global economy, which in 2017 amounted to $3.6 trillion or 4.5% of total GDP. In many low- and middle-income countries, this proportion is even higher – for example, in Sub-Saharan Africa it accounted for 7.1% of total GDP in 2017.
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igital inequality deprives billions of people critical connection to the internet. Only 54% of the global population is connected today, with people in poorer regions far less likely to be online. Particularly women, elderly people and children living in remote and rural areas being most affected.
It is in the face of this reality that Telecom Namibia has made efforts to bridge the urban-rural digital divide. They aimed to do this with their recent donation of 10mbps connection and two computers to the Okamatapati Combined school, located in the rural community, 100 km east of Okakarara which has a total population of 835 pupils and 35 teachers. This donation is to aid in the provision of E-Learning for disadvantaged learners. E-learning can improve the quality of education in many ways such as increasing educational resources and increasing opportunities for learning in and beyond the classroom. Bridging the Digital divide has become ever more so important in the Covid-19 Era of safe socially distanced learning. In the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic access to reliable internet has become an essential element in education because it allows learners in rural areas to stay connected to online modes of learning.
Readings: https://economist.com.na/60114/technology/telecom-continues-to-bridgethe-urban-rural-digital-divide-increases-internet-connection-atokamatapati/ https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2017/internet-access-andeducation/
Readings: https://www.biztechafrica.com/article/airtel-expand-its-4g-reach-acrosszambia/16500/ https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wpcontent/uploads/2018/09/State-of-Mobile-Internet-Connectivity-2018.pdf
Image Source: telecomsource.wordpress.com
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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY Women in STEM Programs Interview with Prof Nelago Indongo Interviewed by Ms. Kina Indongo (Communications Contributor - RDJ Consulting)
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his April we had the exciting opportunity to interview a leading voice in Education and Women in STEM programs associate Professor - Nelago Indongo.
Personal Journey Prof Indongo introduces us to her academic career with a vibrancy and passion for what she does with the words “I am a person who finds passion in numbers”. She goes on to add “I am very comfortable working with numbers and finding meaning out of them.” She enrolled in a BSc. majoring in Statistics and Mathematics at The University of Namibia (UNAM). After completing her undergraduate, she secured a scholarship from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Statistics, and subsequently, a Master’s in Social Statistics at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. UNFPA further committed to fund her studies towards a PhD in Demography and Population Studies at the University of Pretoria which she completed in 2007. Taking off from her impressive academic background, she poured that passion into others through her career in Academia. “I am a woman in an academic industry, a more demanding but fascinating industry. I nurtured my career in an academic industry where I spent more than 20 years which made me part of the national brain power.” Said Prof Indongo. She has worked for the University for the past 22 years in
various capacities. “I am particularly thankful to the institution as it has given me the opportunity to develop human resources in social statistics for the country and beyond; to serve in its management; and to practice my leadership skills for the past 12 years.” Prof Indongo has served as Head of department of Statistics in the Faculty of Science at the University of Nambia (UNAM) and then as Director of the Multidisciplinary Research Centre. These leadership positions have given her the opportunity to be a member of Senate, and Council. Additionally, She has served in various committees at UNAM and has provided national service, particularly when she served as Board member of the Namibia Statistics www.rdjconsulting.co.za
Agency as Deputy Chairperson and Chairperson of the Statistics Committee. With the leadership roles which she has been entrusted with, Prof Indongo says “I learned how to lead people; I acquired planning and management skills; I participated in decision making; I learned negotiation skills, and practices of good corporate governance and above all I demonstrated commitment and integrity to the institution as a leader.” To sum up the journey of her career she recalls the words of Jack Welch who said, “When you become a leader, Success is all about growing others”.
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Prof adds that she is thrilled and inspired when she sees people succeeding and making meaningful contributions to society. What role does sexual reproductive rights play in the sustainable development of a country? “Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedom relating to reproduction and reproductive health. They are the rights of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination and violence. In my opinion countries cannot be sustainably developed if there is inequality and discrimination in making decisions.” Which mitigating actions would you recommend towards changing social norms that limit girls’ and women’s autonomy and ability to make independent decisions regarding their reproductive rights? “It is important that society embrace change that comes with time. It is true we cannot change our tradition and cultural values, but it is important for tradition and culture to embrace the potential of all gender/sex and their importance in society.” Does Namibia have sufficient targeted investments in women and girls? “Namibia is one of the few countries applauded for recognizing the importance and the role played by women. This is observed at political level but also in education enrolment and job opportunities. Countries cannot attain their goals if the rights of women and girls are not respected. I am happy to see that women have showed their confidence in themselves which is what is need if we are to support the government and its leadership in attaining goals of gender equality.” Can research help build greater collaboration across the health, education, gender, population, and development sectors? “Research is very important for deeper understandi-
-ng of issues and how they are interrelated. Health, education, gender, population, and development are interlinked, and one cannot really say you address one without touching on another. I am a person who believes that development cannot be attained when you have unskilled nation, when you have high inequality and when you have unhealthy people in society. Hence there is need for increased synergy in understanding these concepts wholly.” How can Namibia strengthen its health and education systems, regarding sexual reproductive rights? “A healthy nation is a productive nation, and a nation is only productive if the rights of all individuals are respected, that is when a society has access to their needs in terms of health, education and other basic human needs.”
Motivations and Accomplishments On what motivates such a bright woman, Prof Indongo says her passion and desire to learn new things is what motivates her. “academia is a fast moving and growing industry; one needs to embrace new developments. I am equally motivated by coming up with creative ideas to improve something or make something new. In this industry we don’t look at things as business as usual; embracing continuous change is part of our life as academics. We are not used to things remaining constant. This is perhaps why in academia you need to catch up with what is happening globally and learn new things every day.” Said Prof Indongo One of her biggest personal achievements is being among the first cohort of trained Demographers in the country. “I founded the BSc in population & Development at the University of Namibia as an academic pioneer under the guidance of my
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mentor, a distinguished Demographer Prof. Pelad Namfua; and I championed the introduction of MSc. in Applied Statistics and Demography as Head of statistics and population studies department at the University of Namibia.” Said Prof Indongo which in itself is a feat to be truly admired.
Other Involvements Prof Indongo is currently engaged in a book project on “Demography of Namibia”. Inspired by her desire to leave a legacy as a pioneer in the demography field in the country. “I feel as a country we have made strides when it comes to addressing dynamics of population. Currently, the country aspires to conduct its third population and housing census and that shows a firm commitment of the government towards making decisions based on evidence.” Said Prof Indongo
Conclusion In conclusion Prof Indongo’s final, parting words of advice for women is “to be their natural self. Just be true to themselves. It is time for women to realize that they are not born to give up. Every woman needs to be aware of her potential and aspire to make a difference. I advise every woman to dream big in whatever they want to achieve. The bigger the dream the more exciting it becomes. Dreaming Big motivates me to work harder, spread my wings and go beyond the limits.”
Spread my wings and go beyond my limits. PROF NELAGO INDONGO
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YOUTH IN ACTION Interview with Mr. Zach Kauraisa Interviewed by Ms. Kina Indongo (Communications Contributor - RDJ Consulting)
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his April we had the honour of an insightful interview with the well-versed Mr. Zach Kauraisa. An exciting look into the Energy Law and Namibia’s Natural resource potential.
Personal Journey Mr. Kauraisa holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Namibia and a Master’s in International Oil and Gas Law (Distinction) from the University of Dundee, Scotland, and has fashioned for himself an equally impressive career background. Mr. Kauraisa served as a policy research intern with the UK based Extractives Research Hub, where he focused on renewable energy laws and the energy transition across Africa, by developing a country profile for the Namibian extractives industry. He currently serves as a Country Director for the Africa Energy and Mining Initiative (AEMI), and is a Candidate Attorney at Koep & Partners, a leading corporate law firm in Namibia and LexMundi firm. Majority of his work is in energy law, mining law, mergers & acquisitions, and general corporate & commercial law. He also frequently posts LinkedIn articles on topics such as project finance, international negotiation, and contractual risk mitigation – as they relate to energy & mining projects. futhermore, Mr. Kauraisa is currently serving as a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and the Energy Institute.
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Motivations and Achievements What motivates such an outstanding character? Well Mr. Kauraisa says, “I am strongly motivated by the potential of Namibia’s natural resources.” He goes on to elaborate that Namibia is a top 10 diamond producer, a top 5 uranium producer and has prospects of becoming a top oil producer, exporting copper, gold, zinc, lead, and other non-mineral resources. “this potential is undeniable, and it is up to us to decide what will come of it. Being able to contribute to even 1% of how that potential is shaped, is a very exciting prospect to me.” Said Mr. Kauraisa. When asked what his biggest achievement is, his focus ventures back to his impressive academic journey. “I am quite proud of my masters’ thesis, which focuses on the legal aspects of financing petroleum operations in Namibia.” Said Mr. Kauraisa. His thesis was written as a blueprint for how local companies can participate in this trillion-dollar industry and access financing; as well as how government can make it easier for local companies to compete with international companies in Namibia.
Perspective as a Namibian youth On discussing his hopes for Namibia, his immediate response was International exposure. “I strongly believe international networks; international collaboration and an international perspective can add massive value to the way we work as Namibians – and how we can maximize our potential.” Said Mr. Kauraisa.
He further expressed that although the undertaking to garner international exposure is expensive and funding opportunities are scarce, international exposure remains an important element in shifting cultures and realities for youth in Namibia. He said that “One or two candidates gaining international exposure isn’t enough to shift the culture in Namibia and get the majority of professionals to begin intentionally generating value for, and extracting value from, a global community.” From a legal perspective, Mr. Kauraisa says “I would like to see more transparency legislation in the natural resources sectors and the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to protect the nations’ wealth for future generations.” Additionally, from the oil and gas professional perspective, he believes the Namibian economy will strongly benefit from an oil discovery and hopes that the exploration activities which are currently underway, bear fruit.
Initiative (AEMI) on a research paper on how African nations can better negotiate natural resource deals with China and the Chinese counterparts in at large.
Conclusion Imparting his final insights and advice for the youth in Namibia, Mr. Kauraisa encourages young people to just try. Try new things, try difficult things, and try again at things they failed at before; try even if they’re going to be bad at it; and try it even if it doesn’t make sense at the start. “One principle that has always served me well in my younger years is remembering the value of trying. There is so much to be discovered and we hold ourselves back from that knowledge because we are unwilling to take on uncertainty.” he said. Then, after a few years of trying, he encourages the youth to put together all the valuable lessons learned, and experiences gained to inform their future decisions, as he believes they will be much sharper because of it.
Other Involvements As Mr. Kauraisa is currently working with the Africa Energy and Mining
One principle that has always served me well in my younger years is remembering the value of trying. There is so much to be discovered and we hold ourselves back from that knowledge because we are unwilling to take on uncertainty. ZACH KAURAISA
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TENDERS NAMPOWER Description: Expressions of Interest are hereby invited for consultancy services for the design and implementation of an Engineering Document Management System for NamPower. Bid Closing Date: 7 May 2021 ROADS AUTHORITY Description: The Roads Authority hereby invites competent and registered Namibian companies to submit their Company Profiles for the purpose of drawing up the Roads Authority pre-approved eligibility lists for Specialized Consultancy Services for the purpose of Restricted Bidding: Pre-approved Eligibility Lists of Specialized Consultancy Services Supplier. Bid Closing Date: 10 Dec 2021
CAREERS OHANGWENA REGIONAL COUNCIL
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Description: Provision of security services to schools, Libraries and Hostels Bid Closing Date: 15 May 2021
Position: Senior Information Officer Closing Date: 10 May 2021 Reference: PSM Document (Government vacancies)
NAMIBIAN STATISTICS AGENCY Description: Consultancy for National Spatial Data Infrastructure activities. Bid Closing Date: 30 April 2021
B2GOLD NAMIBIA Position: Engineering Administration Officer Closing Date: 26 April 2021 KAVANGO REGIONAL COUNCIL Position: Engineer Closing Date: 10 may 2021 Reference: PSM Document (Government vacancies) NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Position: Systems Administrator Closing Date: 10 may 2021 Reference: PSM Document (Government vacancies)
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Description: Supply of Cleaning Material Bid closing date: 5 May 2021
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Position: Human resource Policy analyst Closing Date: 10 may 2021 Reference: PSM Document (Government vacancies)
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MIND THE 2-METER RULE
Kindly practice social distancing at all times.
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CONRIBUTING AUTHORS
David Jarrett (Managing Consultant) RDJ Consulting Services CC Chilombo Olga Priscila (Operations Manager / Economist) RDJ Consulting Services CC Misozi Mugala (Research Contributor) RDJ Consulting Services CC Kina Indongo (Communications Contribiutor) RDJ Consulting Services CC Monique Jarrett (Environmental Biology intern) RDJ Consulting Services CC
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