Africa is rapidly emerging as a frontier for green hydrogen development, driven by its abundant renewable resources, growing energy demands, and increasing interest from international investors. Positioned as a potential leader in the global hydrogen economy, the continent’s prospects rest on large-scale initiatives in countries like Namibia, Morocco, Egypt, and Mauritania. These efforts could transform Africa’s role from a fossil fuel exporter to a key player in sustainable energy trade, while raising critical questions about equity, environmental sustainability, and long-term socio-economic impact.
Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is seen globally as a cornerstone of decarbonization strategies, especially in sectors difficult to electrify such as heavy industry, shipping, and aviation. Africa’s vast solar and wind potential provides an ideal foundation for green hydrogen production. According to a 2024 report by the Hydrogen Council and McKinsey & Company, if Africa captures 15% of the global hydrogen trade, it could attract up to $400 billion in cumulative investments by 2050, support 13 million job-years, and generate $15 billion annually in export revenue. These figures underscore both the scale of the opportunity and the interest from external stakeholders, particularly European and Gulf countries seeking stable and renewable energy partners.
Among the countries advancing most rapidly in green hydrogen development is Namibia. The Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Project, a partnership between the Namibian government and private developers, aims to produce 125,000 tons of green hydrogen annually by 2026, with eventual expansion to 300,000 tons per year. Located in the Tsau Khaeb National Park, the project involves a planned investment of $10 billion and represents one of the continent’s most ambitious energy infrastructure undertakings. Namibia hopes to leverage its political stability, favorable climate, and port access to become a regional hub for green hydrogen exports, with particular interest from European and Asian markets.
Morocco, too, is positioning itself as a North African energy corridor. TotalEnergies is leading a major initiative in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region, developing 1 gigawatt of combined wind and solar farms to produce around 200,000 metric tons of green ammonia annually for export to Europe. With the European Union setting ambitious decarbonization targets, Moroccan hydrogen and derivatives like ammonia are expected to become valuable commodities. Germany has signed strategic agreements with Morocco to support such exports, viewing the country as a stable partner with robust infrastructure and experience in renewable energy integration.
Egypt has also entered the race to become a hydrogen exporter. In 2024, the Egyptian government signed seven memoranda of understanding with global energy developers, committing to investments of up to $40 billion over the coming decade in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Egypt’s location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe gives it a geostrategic advantage, while the Suez Canal itself could serve as a critical artery for hydrogen and ammonia shipments. Like Morocco, Egypt has attracted significant German and Gulf interest, positioning itself as a key supplier to European markets while seeking to develop domestic industrial uses for green hydrogen.
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While these developments highlight Africa’s emerging role in the global hydrogen market, they also bring to the forefront concerns about equity, sustainability, and the risk of energy neocolonialism. A 2025 Greenpeace report criticizes European-led hydrogen projects in Morocco and Egypt, warning that they risk displacing local populations, straining water resources in arid regions, and contributing to land-use conflicts. Critics argue that without strong regulatory frameworks, African countries may repeat past patterns of resource extraction—this time under a green banner—without ensuring broad-based economic or environmental benefits for their populations.
Water consumption remains a particularly contentious issue. Electrolysis, the main process for green hydrogen production, requires significant quantities of water—posing challenges in water-scarce regions of North and Southern Africa. While some projects propose using desalinated seawater, this introduces additional energy and environmental costs. Furthermore, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production, storage, and export—such as pipelines, conversion facilities, and specialized ports—demands not only substantial investment but also long-term maintenance, skilled labor, and policy stability.
Nonetheless, proponents argue that with the right regulatory safeguards and inclusive development models, green hydrogen could serve as a catalyst for industrialization and technological capacity building across Africa. The hope is that hydrogen projects will not only generate export revenue but also stimulate local job creation, power domestic industries, and drive broader shifts toward decarbonization. Institutions such as the African Union and the African Development Bank are beginning to explore regional coordination mechanisms to support this vision, aiming to ensure that hydrogen contributes to inclusive growth and climate resilience. As global demand for green hydrogen accelerates, Africa’s position as a source of clean energy is both a strategic asset and a test of sustainable development. Whether the continent can harness this potential to drive structural transformation or falls into a pattern of unequal exchange will depend on the governance models, partnerships, and social contracts that emerge around this new energy frontier.
