- Chinese firms control about 86% of global alkaline electrolyser manufacturing capacity.
- Major project wins in Morocco, Kenya and Egypt signal growing MEA penetration.
- Export prices expected to decline by 30% to 35% by 2030.
Chinese electrolyser manufacturers are accelerating their expansion into emerging hydrogen hubs across the Middle East and Africa, leveraging strong cost competitiveness and rapid scale up in manufacturing capacity to secure early market share.
According to VNZ Insights and other industry sources, Chinese companies dominate alkaline electrolyser technology, accounting for an estimated 86% of global production capacity. This position allows them to offer pricing that is often significantly lower than Western competitors, making them attractive partners for cost sensitive green hydrogen projects.
Momentum in the MEA region has strengthened in 2026, with several large scale project announcements marking the biggest overseas orders yet for Chinese suppliers. These developments highlight a shift as developers in Africa and the Middle East increasingly turn to Chinese technology providers to meet ambitious hydrogen production targets.
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In Morocco, Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment secured a US$6.2 million contract to supply 20 MW of alkaline electrolysers for a green hydrogen project. In Kenya, Sungrow won an order for an 80 MW alkaline electrolyser installation, further underscoring growing demand for Chinese systems in the region.
Egypt is also emerging as a strategic hub, with Chinese firms participating in large scale, integrated green hydrogen developments, often in partnership with European developers seeking to establish export oriented supply chains.
A key advantage for Chinese manufacturers remains their ability to deliver projects quickly and at lower capital cost. Industry projections indicate that export prices for Chinese electrolysers could decline by a further 30% to 35% by 2030, reinforcing their competitive position globally.
Despite these gains, challenges remain in Western markets, where local content requirements and potential trade tariffs may limit direct market access. In response, Chinese companies are pursuing smaller pilot projects to build credibility and establish a track record with international partners.
The competitive landscape is also evolving as Chinese suppliers move beyond equipment exports. Increasingly, they are offering full engineering, procurement and construction services, positioning themselves as end to end solution providers in the MEA hydrogen economy.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
