Unparalleled renewable energy resources in tandem with rising demand for sustainable energy worldwide has made Africa both a strategic and highly attractive green hydrogen market.
In 2023, African nations actively prioritized the adoption of green hydrogen policies, and in 2024, are expected to accelerate project deployment and foster collaboration with private, public, and global institutions to accelerate industry expansion.
Mauritania: A Strategic Investment Opportunity
Mauritania, home to three large-scale projects, has emerged as one of the world’s top green hydrogen investment destinations.
The country’s strategic location, close proximity to international markets, and supportive policies further contribute to its attractiveness.
Billion-dollar projects are being developed by global players, including the $34 billion green hydrogen complex by Conjuncta, Infinity Power and Masdar; the $40 billion Aman project by CWP Global; and the 10 GW Nour project by Total Eren and Chariot.
All expected to be completed by 2028 and operating in 2030, Mauritania represents an exciting market to watch.
Namibia: A Future Global Supplier
Namibia is on the precipice of becoming a global green hydrogen supplier owing to a strong pipeline of investments.
These include project development company Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s $10 billion facility in the Tsau//Khaeb National Park with a capacity to produce 300,000 tons per annum (tpa) as well as the 2.5 GW Tumoneni project; the 42 MW Daures Green Hydrogen Village project and the 50 MW Swakopmund project.
Recent collaborative efforts with international governments and financial institutions are fast-tracking market expansion.
Partnerships include Hyphen Energy’s collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Japanese investment firm ITOCHU and engineering company ILF Consulting Engineers for the acceleration of the $10 billion Tsau//Khaeb project.
Namibia has also secured support from the Netherlands; Germany and the European Union to develop the infrastructure needed to support the processing and export of critical minerals and green hydrogen.
South African Green Hydrogen as a Catalyst for Growth
South Africa plans to use green hydrogen as a catalyst for sustainable economic development. Under the Hydrogen Society Roadmap – a framework that outlines strategies and policy direction to mobilize resources for a hydrogen-based economy – the country targets the deployment of 10 GW of electrolysis; 500 kilotons of hydrogen production per year by 2030 and 15 GW by 2040.
The roadmap highlights priority sectors such as transport and industry while envisions hydrogen for power generation.
Already, major projects have kicked off including Hive Energy’s 780,000 tpa Green Ammonia Plant; the 40 GW Boegoebaai hydrogen cluster; the 1.2 GW Coega Green Ammonia plant, and many more.
The government has also forged partnerships with Denmark and the Netherlands to create a $1 billion green hydrogen fund; has recently partnered with Germany for the provision of a €15 million subsidy to support the 50,000 ton per day HySHiFT green hydrogen project.
Egypt Targets Billion-Dollar Projects
Egypt has 21 green hydrogen projects in the pipeline, including a 3 million tpa green ammonia facility by Scatec; a 4 GW electrolyzer plant at the Suez Canal Economic Zone developed by Masdar and Hassan Allam Holding Group; the 400,000 tpa ACME green ammonia project, and many others.
The country is leveraging its strategic position at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Asia to become a global supplier.
Recently, Egypt has established the National Council for Green Hydrogen – a body responsible for ensuring the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness at international levels – to attract additional foreign investment.
Morocco: Leveraging Policy to Unlock Development
Through the National Hydrogen Strategy, Morocco is driving an ambitious green agenda backed by collaborations with international companies.
The strategy outlines the country’s 2050 vision in green hydrogen, with the resource used as feedstock for local use in the short-term and for export in the long-term.
Projects have kicked off, including the country’s largest, the 900,000 tpa Amun project developed by CWP Global and Bechtel; the Total Eren-led 700,000 tpa Guelmim-Oued Nour project; the 31,000 tpa Hevo Ammonia Morocco project; and the 8,400 tpa Masen Green Hydrogen facility.
