As the world confronts the interlinked crises of climate change, energy insecurity, and economic inequality, a profound opportunity presents itself to Africa, one that has the potential to reshape its narrative and redefine its role on the global stage. That opportunity, radiating with promise and potential, is green hydrogen.
The upcoming Global African Hydrogen Summit 2025 is not merely another forum for dialogue; it is a clarion call for bold leadership and decisive action. The vision of Africa as a global green hydrogen powerhouse is no longer a distant aspiration. It is an emerging reality, and is fuelled by the continent’s abundant renewable energy resources, a surge in political will, and, most significantly, a dynamic generation of young Africans ready to innovate and lead change.
Consider this: over 60% of the world’s most abundant solar resources shine upon Africa. When combined with expanding wind corridors, burgeoning geothermal developments, and ongoing improvements to hydropower infrastructure, Africa holds an unparalleled natural advantage. This positions the continent to produce green hydrogen at a globally competitive scale and cost. Yet, this journey is not solely about electrons and molecules — it is a roadmap to transformational development, one that uplifts lives and empowers communities.
Green hydrogen is a catalyst for inclusive growth, delivering benefits across multiple sectors:
- Decarbonising industries and forging new global value chains: By embracing green hydrogen, we can revolutionise our industrial landscape, positioning itself at the heart of emerging green global value chains. This ushers in a new era of sustainable industrialisation — one that is both environmentally sound and economically resilient.
- Creating dignified jobs and empowering local talent: The green hydrogen economy is a powerful engine for employment. From electrolyser manufacturing and advanced engineering services to logistics and infrastructure, this sector offers career pathways that build skills, foster economic independence, and empower individuals and communities alike.
- Empowering local communities with clean energy and infrastructure: Beyond large-scale industrial developments, green hydrogen brings direct benefits to communities. It means modern infrastructure and access to clean, reliable energy to power homes, schools, and businesses — transforming lives from the ground up.
- Unlocking new markets for African exports: Green hydrogen presents a unique opportunity to enhance the value of African exports. From green hydrogen-based fertilisers to green steel, the continent can open new market frontiers, adding value to agricultural and mineral resources and strengthening trade competitiveness.
However, as we embark on this transformative journey, the future must be built intentionally, grounded in equity, justice, and African ownership. Africa must not repeat the patterns of the past, and must chart a new and fairer course.
Three pillars for scaling up: building the foundation for African leadership
For Africa to lead in the green hydrogen revolution, we must commit to three interconnected pillars:
- Policy coherence and robust regional cooperation: A stable policy environment, harmonised across national borders, is essential to attract investment and reduce risk. Africa’s hydrogen roadmap must align with Agenda 2063, the African Green Minerals Strategy, and the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Coordinated action will be key to unlocking sustainable industrial growth.
- Strategic infrastructure and accelerated technology transfer: Africa must unequivocally reject the notion of being a mere exporter of raw hydrogen. Instead, the goal should be domestic value addition — producing green ammonia, methanol, sustainable aviation fuel, and other derivative products. Achieving this vision requires robust infrastructure: transmission networks, desalination plants, port facilities, and storage systems. Access to cutting-edge technology must come through genuine partnerships, underpinned by strong local innovation and R&D ecosystems.
- Innovative Financing Mechanisms: Fuel for the Revolution: Green hydrogen development is capital-intensive. African governments, development finance institutions, and the private sector must collaborate to craft blended finance models that de-risk investments. Local investment platforms dedicated to green hydrogen should empower African entrepreneurs. Climate finance must extend beyond infrastructure to support skills training, institutional capacity-building, and innovation hubs. Africa’s entrepreneurs and communities must not be bystanders — they must be leaders.
