According to Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, chief of the presidency’s infrastructure office, wealthy countries have a responsibility to support South Africa’s development of green hydrogen as part of a worldwide drive to decarbonize.

The most industrialized country on the continent, which gets 80% of its electricity from coal, intends to invest up to $250 billion in green hydrogen, a cutting-edge technology for splitting water with renewable energy.

Given that fewer than 3% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions are caused by energy in Africa, the statements contribute to a growing discussion regarding who should pay the majority of the costs associated with decarbonization.

According to Ramokgopa, the government has allocated up to R300 million ($17 million) for research into the hydrogen industry with assistance from Germany and Japan.

According to him, South Africa’s top aim is to commercialize the export of green hydrogen using ever-cleaner feedstock. Platinum reserves in the area also put it in a good position to profit from the usage of the metal in fuel cells.