As the pace of the global energy transition accelerates, Africa is gradually showing its potential and advantages in hydrogen development. Africa News Network reported that at least 12 countries in Africa are currently carrying out hydrogen energy projects, and 19 countries have developed special regulatory frameworks or national strategies for the hydrogen energy industry. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Namibia are actively embracing hydrogen energy technology and developing green industries to achieve multiple goals such as energy transition, environmental protection, and economic growth.
Formulate strategic plans and increase development efforts
Hydrogen energy is a secondary energy source with abundant sources, green and low-carbon, and widely used, which is considered an important choice for energy transition. According to the "Research Report on the Future Development Trend of Hydrogen Energy" released by the International Hydrogen Council, to:In 2050, the global demand for hydrogen energy will increase to 10 times the current level, and the output value of the hydrogen energy industry chain is expected to exceed 2.5 trillion US dollars.In recent years, many African countries have accelerated the development of hydrogen energy industry. Morocco set out a green hydrogen roadmap in 2021, with the goal of producing 4% of global demand for green hydrogen by 2030. In March, Morocco launched the "Morocco Proposal" plan, which will dedicate 1 million hectares of land to green hydrogen projects to make the country a major producer and exporter of green hydrogen in the region. The Moroccan government said that about 100 domestic and foreign investment institutions have expressed interest in the project.Egypt established a National Green Hydrogen Council in 2023 and launched a National Green Hydrogen Strategy, with the goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 42% by 2035. Currently, there are 21 green hydrogen projects in the pipeline in Egypt. In February, the Egyptian government signed seven memoranda of understanding with international developers to develop green hydrogen and renewable energy projects in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hala Said, said that the investment in the pilot phase of these projects is expected to be about US$12 billion, and the investment in the first phase is about US$29 billion, and the progress of the project will help achieve the goals of Egypt's national green hydrogen strategy.In 2022, South Africa announced a national hydrogen development roadmap, planning to build a hydrogen production and export base - "Hydrogen Valley" across Mokopane, Johannesburg and Durban to form a complete hydrogen ecosystem. In February, the Mozambican government unveiled its energy transition strategy, which aims to become a leader in hydrogen production in southern Africa by 2030. The Djibouti government said it will develop a green hydrogen development strategy and roadmap to increase hydrogen energy development, in addition to providing clean fuel for ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and will also use a large amount for export to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development.In November 2021, during the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the African Green Hydrogen Alliance was announced and officially launched in May 2022. The alliance aims to build a platform for cooperation among regional countries that are leading in hydrogen energy development to drive the energy transition across the continent. Currently, the organization is a member of Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, Djibouti and Nigeria.It is rich in natural resources and has great potential for development
In September 2023, the foundation stone of Africa's first green hydrogen plant was officially laid in Chukab National Park in the coastal town of Lüderitz, Namibia.The project, which costs 3.5 billion yuan (US$185 million), includes the construction of a 10-hectare solar base, a green hydrogen production plant, a hydrogen refueling station and a green hydrogen research institute.When fully operational, the project is expected to produce 350,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, which will be exported to other countries and regions in addition to meeting Namibia's domestic needs.Barroa, a local official, said the development of green hydrogen projects would inject important impetus into the city's development. Namibia's Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Lipombhu Himi, said that Namibia has abundant renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and the implementation of the green hydrogen strategy will help address challenges such as climate change.To develop green hydrogen energy, the African continent is blessed with unique natural conditions. According to a report released by Deloitte, North Africa, South America, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa are the regions with the greatest green hydrogen potential in the world, and "these four regions are expected to account for 45% of the global hydrogen production by 2050". According to the International Energy Agency, Africa accounts for 40%, 32% and 12% of the world's solar, wind and hydro energy reserves, respectively. Donal Cannon, an advisor at the European Investment Bank, said: "Green hydrogen production requires a lot of renewable electricity, and sunny Africa is an excellent location for hydrogen production. Rajef Pandey, Analyst of Clean Energy Technologies at industry analyst WiseAdvisor, said: "Africa's rich mineral reserves are critical to electrolyser production, and the region has great potential for renewable energy development. ”The African continent has a large population and increasing energy demand. The development of the green hydrogen industry is expected to meet the growing demand for energy, and it can also create a large number of jobs and promote economic development. In a report on green energy in Africa, UAE clean energy giant Masdar argues thatBy 2050, Africa's abundant solar and wind energy resources could produce 30 million to 60 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually and create 1.9 million to 3.7 million jobs in Africa.strengthening international cooperation,Contributing to the energy transitionSheffield, President of the International Hydrogen Energy Association, believes that the global hydrogen energy industry is still facing a series of challenges, requiring more advanced hydrogen production technologies, further optimizing the process and equipment for green hydrogen production, and increasing investment.Africa also faces a number of practical challenges in the development of hydrogen energy. First, there are still shortcomings in technology and talents, and the level of hydrogen energy R&D and production needs to be improved urgently; second, the supporting infrastructure needs to be improved, and some regional countries plan to build a green hydrogen industry chain, but the infrastructure such as hydrogen receiving stations and above-ground storage supporting the project is not perfect; third, there is a lack of funds, according to the research of the African Green Hydrogen Alliance,By 2050, alliance member countries will need to invest between US$450 billion and US$900 billion to build a hydrogen economy, which will require significant participation and support from the international community.Wesley Douglas, director of the Africa Carbon Exchange, said that most African countries are in a critical period of energy transition, which is not only a good opportunity for Africa to boost economic revitalization through the development of renewable energy, but also an opportunity for the international community and African countries to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.In 2023, Germany, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Mauritania signed a US$34 billion memorandum of understanding on hydrogen cooperation to build a 10 GW electrolyzer in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, to produce 8 million tons of green hydrogen per year for export. In 2022, the EU signed agreements with Morocco, Egypt and Namibia to develop green hydrogen in these countries and export it to the EU.China is actively involved in the development of hydrogen energy and other new energy industries in Africa. China Energy Construction Group signed memorandums of cooperation with Egypt and Morocco on green hydrogen projects, planning to build photovoltaic, wind power and green ammonia projects with an annual output of 1.4 million tons (about 320,000 tons of green hydrogen) in Morocco, and plans to build photovoltaic and wind power, hydrogen production from water electrolysis with an annual output of 140,000 tons, synthetic ammonia and supporting storage and treatment facilities in Egypt.Recently, China State Construction Group and a South Korean company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority, the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority and the Egyptian Sovereign Fund in the form of a consortium to develop green hydrogen and green ammonia in Egypt. With a planned investment of US$1.9 billion, the project will build a 250 MW water electrolysis system with an annual output of 50,000 tons of green hydrogen and 250,000 tons of green ammonia, and is expected to be put into commercial operation in 2029.In an interview with the People's Daily, Morocco's former Minister of Economy and Finance, Vallalou, said that Africa-China hydrogen cooperation has great potential and broad prospects. Africa has the resource endowment to develop hydrogen energy, but lacks technology and capital, and China is actively helping Africa achieve energy transition.
