Unlocking Africa’s Hydrogen Potential: Key Project Final Investment Decision (FID) Timeline Analysis
Africa is the second largest and second largest population continent in the world and is positioning itself as the leader in the global green energy revolution. Hydrogen has gradually become a key commodity for the strategic and national importance of the entire African continent.
Despite numerous hydrogen projects of countless scales throughout the continent, including Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco and South Africa, Namibia has reached many key milestones in as many as five projects.
Energy demand in Africa continues to grow
Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies, but the mainland is also dealing with one of the most important energy access challenges. More than 600 million people across the continent still do not have access to reliable electricity, and nearly 900 million people rely on traditional biomass to cook, which leads to energy poverty and major health risks. But Africa’s energy deficit also represents a unique opportunity to go beyond outdated, polluting technologies and implementing innovative sustainable energy solutions.
Hydrogen, especially green hydrogen produced by renewable energy, has become an important part of the future of African energy. Africa has abundant renewable resources, including huge solar and wind power, that can leverage large-scale production of green hydrogen. This clean, versatile energy operator can not only meet domestic electricity demand, but also position Africa as a global supplier of green hydrogen.
How Namibia shapes global energy: Ultimate investment decisions (FID) maps the future of African hydrogen tours
Namibia is leading Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The Final Investment Decision (FID) for Green Hydrogen Project is scheduled for 2025. At the forefront of innovation, Namibia highlights its huge potential, from synthetic fuel production to equipment manufacturing, driving economic growth and consolidating its role as a key figure in the global energy transition. At the heart of the Global African Hydrogen Summit, held in Windhoek on September 11, 2025, Namibia’s emerging green industry sector represents a strong investment opportunity for global companies. The country is committed to innovative research and development, sustainable socio-economic development, economic diversification, environmental and biodiversity conservation, and combating climate change.
Global African Hydrogen Summit recently released exclusive insights in partnership with the Namibia Green Hydrogen Program, which demonstrates the FID timeline and the overview and report on Green Hydrogen in Namibia. Insights graph how Namibia projects develop their FID and project implementation paths. These projects include the Hyiron Oshivela project, which produces green iron for export. Cleaning solutions develop green ammonia for heavy transport and export; HDF energy generates green hydrogen and green baseline electricity for the National Grid; Zhero/Envision produces green hydrogen and green ammonia for export and hyphen hydrogen, aiming to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for the production of grids through pipelines to South Africa, as well as localization and export.
Hydrogen as job seekers and economic drivers
In addition to its environmental and energy access benefits, hydrogen provides important opportunities for job creation and economic growth across Africa. From renewable energy production to hydrogen storage, transportation and use, the hydrogen value chain provides many avenues for industrial development. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the hydrogen economy could create millions of jobs around the world, and Africa will benefit greatly.
In Namibia, for example, the hydrogen economy has begun to develop skills and has built a workforce that supports hydrogen production and infrastructure development. The partnership focuses on providing workers with the technical skills needed for green hydrogen technology, which is crucial to the energy future of Africa.
In addition, the export potential of green hydrogen produced in Africa to energy-hungry regions such as Europe and Asia may generate a large source of income, which could reinvest it into domestic infrastructure and social development projects.
Challenge and the way forward
Despite the promising opportunities, the hydrogen sector in Africa still faces some challenges. First, infrastructure development is needed. Despite Africa’s abundant renewable energy sources, expanding hydrogen production and creating the necessary infrastructure for storage, transportation and distribution will require substantial investment. Furthermore, financial access remains a barrier for many African countries and projects that want to enter the hydrogen market.
Another challenge is the regulatory framework. Many African countries are still in the early stages of developing hydrogen-specific policies and regulations, which may bring uncertainty to investors. However, African governments are increasingly aware that creating a favorable environment for hydrogen development is crucial to the energy transition on the continent.
Conclusion: A bright future for the African hydrogen sector
The hydrogen sector in Africa is at a critical point. With its abundant renewable energy resources, a young workforce, and an increasing commitment to sustainability, the continent is in good shape to lead the global green energy revolution. The future of Africa’s energy sector looks bright as governments, businesses and international partners continue to invest in the hydrogen economy.
After a huge success at the first ceremony of the DMG event of the Global Hydrogen Summit in Africa, it is delighted to announce that the sequel will be held in Windhoek, Namibia from September 9 to 11, 2025.
The Global African Hydrogen Summit was held by the Namibian Government and accredited by the Ministry of Mining and Energy of Namibia, held in collaboration with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Commission (NIPDB), and was jointly conducted by the Namibia Green Hydrogen Commission and the Namibia Green Hydrogen and Nage Hyderogen Approl (NGH2P) (NGH2P).
theme Action Ambition: Come on in Africa’s Green Industrial RevolutionThe vibrant three-day summit will once again convene the governor, minister, business leaders, project developers, investors, technicians, technicians and end users from around Africa and around the world to promote partnerships with Africa’s strategic and national importance, key investments, and financing, financing, and financing green energy.
