The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set an ambitious target to produce 0.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with plans to increase this to 10 million tonnes by 2050.
This initiative is part of ECOWAS’ broader renewable energy strategy aimed at leveraging the region’s potential in solar, wind, and hydrogen power. Dr. Bruno Korgo, the Regional Coordinator for Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen at the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), highlighted this objective during a capacity-building workshop for private sector actors on green hydrogen.
Nigeria has expressed its commitment to developing green hydrogen, seeing it as a key element in its efforts to drive economic growth, diversify energy sources, and reduce carbon emissions. Temitope Dina, assistant director in the Ministry of Power, stated that the federal government is ready to capitalize on the vast potential of green hydrogen for economic and environmental benefits.
West Africa’s renewable energy potential
According to Dr. Korgo, West Africa holds significant potential in renewable energy resources such as solar and wind, which create a solid foundation for green hydrogen production. He stressed that green hydrogen is crucial for global decarbonization efforts and can position West Africa as a significant player in the future energy market. Dr. Korgo emphasized that the success of the West African Green Hydrogen Policy will depend on cooperation between governments, energy ministries, and private sector stakeholders.
