policy-insights-122-ed-grobbelaar-ngubevana-ca6c6bc7e8ebbd69.pdf

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines Africa's potential to become a global green hydrogen hub and outlines how G20 members can support a just energy transition on the continent. It highlights Africa's competitive advantages in renewable energy and infrastructure while detailing specific national projects and regional frameworks necessary for scaling production.

• Africa possesses significant competitive advantages for green hydrogen production, including its geographical location with over 100 ports along a 26,000km coastline, vast untapped renewable energy potential (estimated at over 1TW), and existing regional power pools and gas infrastructure.
• The G20 can support Africa's green hydrogen transition through targeted financing for infrastructure (grids, pipelines, and ports), mutually beneficial technology transfers that prioritize local value addition and upskilling, and the establishment of stable offtake agreements and certification standards.
• Several African nations have initiated specific green hydrogen projects: South Africa is developing the Hydrogen Valley Project, the Boegoebaai development, and the Prieska Power Reserve; Namibia has a $9.4 billion project in Tsau //Khaeb National Park; Mauritania has a $40 billion project called AMAN; and Morocco aims to capture 4% of the global green chemicals market.
• Regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the five existing regional power pools are critical for ensuring that green hydrogen development supports internal industrialization and energy security rather than focusing solely on exports.
• Global strategies for green hydrogen are already in place, with the EU targeting 40GW of renewable hydrogen electrolysers by 2030, Australia pursuing a 'technology not taxes' approach to reach net-zero by 2050, and Chile aiming to produce 25 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually to target markets in Japan, South Korea, and China.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-insights-122-ed-grobbelaar-ngubevana-ca6c6bc7e8ebbd69.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Policy-Insights-122-ED-grobbelaar-ngubevana.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-insights-122-ed-grobbelaar-ngubevana-ca6c6bc7e8ebbd69.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Policy-Insights-122-ED-grobbelaar-ngubevana.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-insights-122-ed-grobbelaar-ngubevana-ca6c6bc7e8ebbd69.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Policy-Insights-122-ED-grobbelaar-ngubevana.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicyinsights122edgrobbelaarngubevanaca6c6bc7e8ebbd69pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-insights-122-ed-grobbelaar-ngubevana-ca6c6bc7e8ebbd69.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Policy-Insights-122-ED-grobbelaar-ngubevana.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }