Morocco’s recent move to promote the use of green hydrogen is a clear indication that governments across Africa are committed to achieving environmental sustainability and improving regional competitiveness.
The North African country has been pursuing a number of initiatives aimed at decarbonizing its heavy industry sector, including promoting the creation of a green hydrogen grid to facilitate the transport of clean energy across Africa.
The Arboa Forum and the Mediterranean Region’s thirteenth session, set to focus on the future of the energy sector on the continent, particularly on the adoption of hydrogen, offers an opportunity to discuss the potential impact and challenges of this technology in combating climate change. Participants at the Hydrogen in the Future Forum, a two-day meeting bringing together around 1,000 people, will discuss concrete actions and mobilize efforts to respond to the climate emergency.
The use of green hydrogen is crucial in accelerating the energy transition in Morocco and Africa, according to Hicham El Habti, president of the Mohamed VI Polytechnic University. Green hydrogen is a clean source of energy obtained from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy, and could be beneficial for African countries as it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy security.
Morocco is leading the trend towards hydrogen development in Africa with investment plans aimed at decarbonizing the heavy industry sector through technology development. Egypt is taking steps to harness the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for industrial use and transport, while South Africa is focusing on the use of hydrogen to improve its long-term energy infrastructure. These initiatives will help Africa move towards a more sustainable future.
African officials are also promoting sustainable agricultural development with the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers, such as green ammonia, to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases on the continent. This will help ensure long-term food security and environmental sustainability for African communities.
Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), the world’s largest fertilizer producer, has launched a $12 billion investment program for 2023-2027 aimed at becoming a leader in the green hydrogen market and transforming African economies. The group is working to develop more soil-friendly farming and promote new sources of renewable energy, especially green hydrogen. Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt have initiated green hydrogen production projects with German support. These projects aim to increase the total hydrogen production capacity to 300 megawatts.
In conclusion, the drive towards the use of green hydrogen in Africa is gaining momentum with initiatives aimed at achieving environmental sustainability and improving regional competitiveness. The development of the hydrogen economy in Africa presents opportunities for the continent to move towards a more sustainable future, but also poses challenges in terms of infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. The commitment of African governments, industry leaders, and civil society representatives to the hydrogen economy is a positive sign for the future of the continent and the planet.
