Global African Hydrogen Summit’s Post

etasca journeyed to Namibia last week, where in the sandy Kalahari savanna the Global African Hydrogen Summit was taking place. As well as sighting some giraffes, leopards and wildebeest, we discussed how Namibia is taking centre stage in the energy transition in Africa. Andy Ballard also presented etasca's views on the commercial and technical issues for financing hydrogen projects in the region. Here's eight things we learned: 1️⃣ The EU has committed €37 million to support Namibia’s Green Industrialisation Agenda through four ‘Team Europe’ initiatives signed at the conference by Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. This includes technical assistance for infrastructure investments, and support to develop a regulatory framework. 2️⃣ The major hydrogen projects under development in Namibia are HYPHEN near Luderitz and Zhero near Walvis Bay. With 7GW renewable capacity, Hyphen will generate 2 mil tpy of green ammonia for export, with development funding provided through Namibia’s green hydrogen finance vehicle. Zhero announced that Envision Energy will act as the EPC partner for their 0.5 mil tpy green ammonia plant, with FID targeted in 2026. 3️⃣ HyIron won the hydrogen project of the year award. The project at Oshivela will produce 15 000 tpy direct reduced iron for export to Europe. With the kiln now on site, operation is due later this year. 4️⃣ The Egyptian Minister for Electricity & Renewable Energy, Hon. Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, outlined the national strategy for green hydrogen, including 18 projects in the Suez Canal Hydrogen Hub. 5️⃣ South African Dep. Energy Minister Samantha Graham-Mare described the progress made in the energy sector and reduction in load-shedding since the GNU took power earlier this year. Despite requirements for continued power sector investment, South Africa will pursue green hydrogen projects in specific industrial areas. 6️⃣ Ministers from Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya and Angola were present to discuss hydrogen developments in their countries, with both export-oriented and for local decarbonisation projects planned. However, Ministers from Angola and Nigeria highlighted the need for a just and fair energy transition, noting both countries were reliant on fossil fuel revenues and that the loss and damage fund for developing nations was yet to materialise. 7️⃣ Financing for hydrogen projects across Africa was an important topic, with Marco Raffinetti of Hyphen noting challenges compared to traditional renewables due to the scale and complexity of these projects. The importance of blended finance was highlighted, given the long project lead times. 8️⃣ Many participants underlined that these projects will need to encourage local development in Africa to maintain political support. Local use from the initial projects is likely to be low, with a larger proportion allocated from later projects which can also encourage downstream industrial development. Thank you to the dmg events team Damian Howard and Océane Amoa-Thompson!