Hydrogen in Africa: a gateway to global green energy

In an exclusive interview with Energy Connects ahead of Global African Hydrogen Summit 2025, Dr Ziyuan Wang, Vice Chairman of the China Hydrogen Development and Innovation Alliance for Urban Gas (CHAG), highlights Africa’s unique advantage in green hydrogen, owing to its abundant renewable resources, rich mineral reserves, and strategic location. He also addresses the global barriers hindering wider adoption of hydrogen and discusses the path towards scalable international collaboration.

• What excites you the most about the potential of hydrogen in Africa’s energy landscape?

I believe there are three key advantages to Africa's potential in green hydrogen production. Firstly, the continent has abundant renewable energy resources and access to low-cost green electricity, giving it a significant cost advantage in the global green hydrogen market. For instance, many African countries benefit from high solar irradiance and strong wind conditions, particularly in regions like North Africa and Southern Africa.

Secondly, Africa’s rich mineral reserves provide a solid foundation for an energy revolution. This enables the localisation and self-sufficiency of the hydrogen industrial chain, while also supporting the decarbonisation of traditionally hard-to-abate sectors, such as steel, cement, and fertiliser production.

Lastly, Africa’s strategic geographic location, close to major hydrogen demand centres such as Europe and Asia, positions it well to attract investment through international cooperation and trade. The proximity to key maritime routes further enhances its logistical advantage. This alignment with global green energy supply and demand could unlock new opportunities for economic transformation and sustainable industrialisation across the continent.

• What do you see as the biggest barrier to accelerating hydrogen adoption across continents, particularly between Africa and Asia?

I believe there are two main aspects to consider. First, the economic viability of the hydrogen value chain – including production, storage, transportation, refuelling, and utilisation – remains a core challenge to large-scale adoption. While the cost of green hydrogen is declining, it still needs to become more competitive compared to fossil-based alternatives.

Second, there are varying levels of regulatory readiness and market acceptance across different regions. These differences are influenced by factors such as technical standards, certification protocols, carbon tariffs, and trade restrictions. For Africa and Asia to strengthen hydrogen collaboration, continuous dialogue and mutual understanding are essential. Regional platforms and bilateral agreements could play a key role in harmonising policies and accelerating project development.

Lastly, hydrogen must evolve into a truly global endeavour, underpinned by shared frameworks and long-term cooperation.

• How can the public and private sectors collaborate more effectively to scale hydrogen projects?

In my view, the public sector must dedicate more time to researching and understanding the dynamics of the hydrogen industry. This will enable the development of accurate policy frameworks and foster a consistently favourable regulatory and investment environment. Moreover, governments should maintain long-term confidence in hydrogen as a critical pillar of the energy transition, even when short-term returns are not immediately apparent.

At the same time, the private sector must align its strategies with the current maturity of the industry. This includes leveraging government incentives, mobilising social capital, and exploring innovative financing models to scale up hydrogen projects. Pilot projects and public-private demonstration initiatives can help validate technologies and business models. Technological demonstrations should lead to market promotion, and as markets mature, this will in turn accelerate further innovation and cost reduction.

• What are you hoping to see at the Global African Hydrogen Summit 2025?

I hope this year’s Global African Hydrogen Summit attracts a broader array of buyers and sellers from across the continent and beyond, with dedicated sessions for supply-chain matchmaking and technology transfer. Such forums are invaluable for connecting upstream developers with downstream users, as well as identifying key enablers such as finance and infrastructure providers.

If feasible, I would recommend arranging government-led site visits and business delegations during the event. This would allow international stakeholders to explore Africa’s hydrogen ecosystems, infrastructure, and policy frameworks firsthand, laying the groundwork for future partnerships and long-term investment.