Africa is capable of producing 50 million tons of green hydrogen a year by 2035, according to a new study by the European Investment Bank (EIB), International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the African Union, with the support of the government of Mauritania, HyDeal and UCLG Africa. Green hydrogen is economically viable at €2/kg, can expedite low carbon economic growth across the continent and reduce emissions by 40%, replacing approximately 500 million tons of carbon dioxide a year.

The analysis emphasised that green hydrogen produced in Africa is economically viable, more cost effective than traditional fossil fuel energy sources, and can accommodate domestic energy demand whilst enabling the export of green hydrogen to global markets.

The Africa’s Extraordinary Green Hydrogen Potential report, carried out by international consultancy CVA, outlined how the production and transmission of green hydrogen could lead to a €1 trillion ($1.06 trillion) investment, yielding more than one third of Africa’s current energy consumption, boosting gross domestic product (GDP), improving clean water supply and empowering communities.

The analysis suggests that large-scale green hydrogen investment could accelerate decarbonisation by enabling large-scale African energy consumers, such as fertiliser and steel producers, to utilise green hydrogen. 

Commenting on the report, Ambroise Fayolle, vice president of the European Investment Bank, said: “Africa has the best renewable energy in the world and scaling up production of green hydrogen can transform access to low cost electricity and clean water. Unlocking Africa’s green hydrogen potential will require close cooperation between public, private and financial partners.”

The new study depicts the first detailed research of the feasible development of green hydrogen across Africa and incorporates an analysis of investment opportunities prioritising four hubs: Mauritania, Morocco, southern Africa and Egypt, including a roadmap of technical, economic, environmental and financial solutions to unlock industrial expansion.

Roadmap for green hydrogen commercialisation across Africa

• Activate national planning, regulation and incentive schemes to mobilise private sector investment and innovation to establish and integrate domestic value chains with global markets.

• Pilot projects are required to demonstrate successful green hydrogen generation, storage, distribution and application at both demonstration and commercial scale.

• Market-based partnerships are required to enable mass-scale domestic and global off-take and demand for green hydrogen, and increase cooperation to design, finance, build and operate green hydrogen production, storag, and distribution infrastructure. 

 “As the global energy and climate crises unfold, mass-scale competitive green hydrogen is ready to provide energy security, affordability and decarbonisation,” said Thierry Lepercq, president of HyDeal. “Integrated hydrogen hubs bringing together upstream, midstream and upstream players on the basis of long term off-take contracts are building powerful business models.”

As hydrogen plays an increasingly pivotal role in the global and African energy transition, the upcoming Africa Energy Indaba conference to be held on 7  -  9 March in Cape Town, is set to place a strong emphasis on the role of hydrogen in Africa's energy mix.

Representatives from various sectors of the hydrogen industry such as policy makers, researchers, developers, solution providers and investors from Africa and abroad will participate and impart prevalent updates on the hydrogen sector including but not limited to projects, innovations and research.