The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit opened in Cape Town with South Africa pressing for a shift from policy ambition towards commercially viable projects, regional cooperation and greater African participation in the emerging hydrogen economy.
The two-day summit, hosted from 15 to 16 September, is being held under the theme “Moving Africa’s Green Hydrogen Sector from PowerPoint to Gigawatts”. The gathering brings together governments, investors, development finance institutions, researchers and industry representatives to address project development, financing, infrastructure and industrialisation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose address was delivered by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said Africa’s renewable-energy resources, mineral endowments and industrial capacity could support a larger role in the global green hydrogen economy. He argued, however, that the opportunity should extend beyond exporting energy and raw materials.
South Africa’s first wave of its national green hydrogen programme comprises six priority projects selected through an assessment process intended to strengthen project preparation and investor confidence. The most advanced is Phelan Green Group’s electro-sustainable aviation fuel project at Saldanha Bay, which has reached a final investment decision. The company has committed US$100 million in equity and secured an offtake agreement, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
The other five projects remain at different stages of development. They include green ammonia, green methanol, hydrogen-based iron and steel production and domestic green hydrogen applications. Further commercial, technical and financing work is required on several of these projects before investment decisions can be reached.
Ramaphosa also called for stronger African cooperation on standards, certification, infrastructure corridors and project preparation. He said African countries should seek participation across the value chain, including ownership, manufacturing, technology development, production and domestic markets, rather than limiting the continent’s role to supplying renewable energy or raw materials.
The emphasis reflects a broader question for Africa’s hydrogen ambitions: whether new energy industries can generate domestic manufacturing, skills, infrastructure and industrial capacity alongside export revenues. The African Continental Free Trade Area could also provide a framework for developing regional markets and value chains.
South Africa said a second wave of priority projects would follow, suggesting that the next phase will be measured increasingly by investment decisions, construction and production rather than project announcements alone.
