Africa’s potential to become a global leader in the green hydrogen market has garnered cautious optimism from industry experts, with 41 projects expected to take shape by 2030. Specialists familiar with the sector describe Africa’s renewable energy resources, strategic location, and the surging global demand for clean energy as critical factors driving this momentum. However, they emphasize that significant hurdles remain, necessitating bold strategies, robust infrastructure, and international collaboration to turn this vision into reality.
Energy analysts point to North Africa as the vanguard of the continent’s green hydrogen ambitions. Countries such as Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco are leveraging their year-round sunshine and proximity to Europe to spearhead hydrogen development. An expert in renewable energy policy highlights Egypt’s National Green Hydrogen Strategy, which targets capturing 8% of the global hydrogen market and producing 10 million tons annually by 2050. “Egypt’s position is enviable,” the expert notes, “but realizing its full potential will depend on long-term investments and market stability.”
Meanwhile, Europe’s REPowerEU Plan has drawn attention from international energy strategists as a pivotal development. Designed to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the plan envisions importing 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually from Africa. “This alignment of European demand with African supply could be a game-changer,” suggests a consultant specializing in energy markets. “But we need to see more financial mechanisms that bridge the gap between ambition and execution.”
Sub-Saharan Africa has not been left behind in this push. Namibia’s $10 billion hydrogen project is widely cited as an example of the region’s growing commitment, with an energy economist noting that it “represents a new frontier for job creation and sustainable energy development.” Similarly, Mauritania’s Aman and Nour projects are seen as transformative, with a combined capacity to generate 40 GW of power for hydrogen production. A regional development expert underscores the broader implications: “These projects signal a shift in Africa’s energy landscape, but their success hinges on partnerships with international investors and technological collaborators.”
Despite these promising developments, experts remain cautious. An infrastructure specialist highlights that no commercial-scale hydrogen project in Africa has reached a final investment decision, with critical barriers such as infrastructure gaps and the lack of regulatory frameworks impeding progress. “The absence of clear policies and the high upfront costs of hydrogen projects make investors hesitant,” they explain.
Regulatory challenges are another key concern. A policy advisor familiar with energy investments notes that Africa needs to develop robust governance structures to attract sustained foreign direct investment. “Without clear regulations and incentives, it’s difficult to convince global businesses to take the plunge,” they assert, adding that governments must act swiftly to create an environment conducive to long-term growth.
Experts also stress the importance of integrating green hydrogen into Africa’s broader renewable energy strategy. The continent already boasts 61.1 GW of operational renewable energy capacity, with significant strides in solar and wind projects. However, energy storage remains a persistent challenge. A renewable energy systems engineer observes that while South Africa leads with 3.6 GW of storage capacity, “other regions are lagging behind, which could undermine the overall viability of hydrogen production and export.”
The role of international cooperation cannot be overstated, according to development economists. They highlight Europe’s grants to Namibia and South Africa as a positive step but argue that more targeted funding is necessary. “Partnerships between African nations and the global community are essential to close the financing gap and build the infrastructure required for hydrogen exports,” one expert explains.
The consensus among specialists is that Africa’s green hydrogen potential is immense but far from fully realized. They warn that achieving this vision will require overcoming substantial obstacles, from securing offtake agreements to building the pipelines, ports, and facilities needed for a thriving hydrogen economy. As one energy strategist concludes, “Africa has the resources and the opportunity to lead the global hydrogen revolution, but it will take extraordinary collaboration and commitment to bring this vision to life.”
By grounding its future in green hydrogen, Africa could redefine its role in the global energy market, but experts agree: the journey is just beginning.
