South Africa and Namibia target green hydrogen for industrial growth

South Africa and Namibia are positioning green hydrogen as a central pillar for regional industrialisation and economic growth. At the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town, South African Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau outlined a strategy to move beyond exporting raw resources toward producing higher-value goods, such as sustainable aviation fuel, green chemicals, and advanced manufactured products.

South Africa has identified 24 strategic integrated projects through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, with several receiving €40 million in backing from Germany’s KfW Development Bank. The initiative aims to create tens of thousands of jobs and drive significant economic activity.

Namibia is seeking closer integration with South Africa to build robust green hydrogen supply chains and regional markets. Joseph Mukendwa, Interim Head of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, emphasized that regional collaboration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) would allow both nations to compete more effectively in global low-carbon markets. Additionally, research in Namibia is exploring domestic applications for the technology, such as the development of hydrogen-powered cooking prototypes to reduce reliance on traditional fuels.