Namibia hosts international press conference ahead of highly anticipated Global African Hydrogen Summit 2024

Following its launch at COP28 UAE in December 2023, the pioneering Global African Hydrogen Summit, slated for Windhoek, Namibia on 3 - 5 September 2024, is the first and only platform of its kind aimed at driving critical investments into bankable African green energy projects, attracting the attention of heads of state, ministers and CEOs worldwide.

“The Global African Hydrogen Summit will be the first platform of its kind to be leveraged by African governments, investors, financiers, scholars and the public to unlock additional opportunities for our continent and its partners,” Honourable Tom Alweendo, Namibia’s Minister of Mines & Energy, said in a statement ahead of the Global African Hydrogen Summit international press conference that took place on April 18 in Windhoek.

“The Summit will also provide a platform for the global players in the hydrogen value chain to showcase their projects, plans and technologies to the African continent,” Hon. Alweendo added.

Hugely successful press conference

The hugely successful press conference was also attended by Nangula Nelulu Uaandja, CEO, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), James Mnyupe, Green Hydrogen Commissioner, and dozens of other dignitaries and media representatives.

Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Mauritania, Angola, Djibouti, Mozambique, Namibia and  South Africa all have critical hydrogen projects at the heart of their national energy development strategies.  

In recent news, the Egyptian government is reported to have signed seven more agreements for green hydrogen projects worth US $40 billion over the next 10 years. In Mauritania, TotalEnergies and Chariot Group have announced the completion of the feasibility study for a proposed 10 GW green hydrogen project. And Namibia takes one step closer to securing her vision of green industrialisation by securing further support for the $10 billion Hyphen Green Hydrogen project.

The Global African Hydrogen Summit is fully endorsed by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and support from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board as a strategic partner.

Themed From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution, the Global African Hydrogen Summit will platform six critical thematic pillars including; developing Africa’s thriving hydrogen market to enhance the global energy map; building new partnerships and collaboration across industries and governments; stimulating investment and finance in hydrogen projects; maximising green energy innovation and climate technology; fostering green industrialisation and macro-economic growth and developing capacity, skills and a local content roadmap.

Critical role of green hydrogen

Renewable hydrogen (also called green hydrogen) the variety that is produced from renewable sources including solar, wind and hydro, is expected to be an enabling contributor to a new energy system.

Green hydrogen for example can provide energy security, power generation, clean cooking and the hard-to-abate sectors including steel, cement, aviation, petrochemicals, shipping and refining. For many African countries, the key priority is to sustainably harness existing resources to meet the growing demand for energy that will electrify households, advance economic development, and map a sustainable path to eliminating energy poverty across the continent.

Collaborating for exports

According to McKinsey & Company, collectively and through collaboration, hydrogen producing African countries have the potential to complement African hydrogen exports of up to 40 megatons by 2050 and meet its full domestic demand potential of 10 to 18 megatons of hydrogen.

The dynamic three-day Global African Hydrogen Summit will include a world-class Strategic Conference with Leadership Boardroom Dialogues and over 100 expert speakers. Privately conducted Project Investment Roundtables with over 40 bankable African green energy projects will be assessed, tracked and accelerated to financial closure. Additionally, the Summit will host an international, large scale, Exhibition, including a Startup H2ub incubator. which will also welcome a strong Youth Programme and representatives of civil society.