CAPE TOWN, June 13 — The inaugural Africa Green Hydrogen Summit kicked off Thursday in Cape Town, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urging African countries to act swiftly to harness the transformative potential of green hydrogen as an anchor for the continent’s industrial future. The two-day summit at the Century City Conference Centre brings together government leaders, global investors, and industry experts to showcase Africa‘s potential as a green hydrogen powerhouse while unlocking investment opportunities and forging strategic partnerships. “Tapping into the potential of the hydrogen economy is a matter of urgency for Africa,” Ramaphosa said at the opening ceremony. He underlined that the continent is “perfectly placed” to leverage its rich renewable resources, from solar and wind to hydropower, to become a global leader in clean hydrogen production. The president positioned green hydrogen as central to the continent’s future. “Hydrogen is a bridge to a new export industry for African countries.
It is an enabler for Africa‘s energy independence and climate resilience,” he said. “More importantly, hydrogen is an anchor for industrial transformation and infrastructure investment.” Ramaphosa emphasized that green hydrogen could drive inclusive growth, create millions of jobs, and help decarbonize heavy industries. He noted that more than 52 large-scale green hydrogen projects have been announced across Africa. These projects, backed by members of the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance, could produce 30 to 60 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2050 and create two to four million jobs. Despite the momentum, the president cautioned that Africa faces significant obstacles, including high capital costs and limited global investment. He stressed the need for “regulatory certainty and project preparation support” to unlock investment and close the gap between potential and execution. As the world reassesses the realistic pace of hydrogen growth, Ramaphosa urged that Africa‘s voice must be central in shaping the global energy agenda. “We must be authors of our own future,” he said, calling on African countries to work together to build a green, inclusive economy rooted in clean energy innovation.
Xinhua proud partner of the African Youth Newspaper
