A green hydrogen revolution in Africa remains elusive under current geopolitical realities
- wikuskruger
- Jan 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources and vast land availability have positioned the continent as a potential global hub for green hydrogen production. In recent years, several African countries have launched ambitious green hydrogen initiatives, largely driven by growing demand from Europe and other industrialized regions seeking to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. This paper argues, however, that under current geopolitical and economic realities, a transformative green hydrogen revolution in Africa remains elusive.
The paper critically examines the opportunities and risks associated with green hydrogen development in Africa, highlighting that prevailing resource development models risk reproducing extractive dynamics seen in fossil fuel and mineral sectors. While green hydrogen holds promise for decarbonizing industry, transport, and fertilizer production, and for supporting renewable energy integration, current strategies are heavily skewed toward export-led models that may deliver limited domestic development benefits. High capital costs, weak regulatory frameworks, limited access to finance, and concentration of technological capabilities and intellectual property outside the continent constrain Africa’s ability to capture value across the hydrogen value chain.
The analysis also draws attention to critical resource trade-offs related to land, water, and energy use, particularly in regions already facing water stress and energy poverty. Without strong institutions, inclusive planning, and safeguards, large-scale hydrogen investments risk exacerbating social inequalities, environmental pressures, and local conflicts. The paper situates these challenges within shifting global energy geopolitics, where African countries face asymmetric power relations in setting standards, shaping markets, and negotiating partnerships. The authors argue that for green hydrogen to support broad-based socio-economic development, African countries must move beyond a narrow export logic. This requires embedding hydrogen strategies within national industrial and development plans, creating domestic demand, investing in skills and technology transfer, and asserting more equitable partnerships aligned with Agenda 2063.
