Windhoek, Namibia – During COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, last week UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for action to transform Africa into a global energy leader, emphasising the continent’s untapped potential and the urgent need for investment and reforms. “From Cairo to Cape Town, renewable energy can revolutionise lives,” Guterres stated, noting its potential to deliver affordable electricity, improve health outcomes, create sustainable jobs and stimulate socioeconomic uplift across the continent.
Urging world leaders to act decisively to support Africa’s energy evolution, Guterres went on to stress that the benefits of renewables offer Africa a chance to spearhead a global energy revolution and secure economic prosperity for current and future generations. Energy is at the heart of Africa’s growth story and the cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation.
By harnessing its abundant natural resources, Africa can power its future and sustain its long-term growth trajectory.
For investors, the continent offers a unique opportunity to participate in building the infrastructure that will fuel Africa’s development and unlock new domestic, regional and global markets.
Africa is on the brink of a major energy transformation that could accelerate meeting the growing electricity demand of its 1.5 billion inhabitants. This transition aims to diversify the continent’s energy mix, through the increased adoption of renewable energy including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and nuclear. By increasing renewable energy production capacity and expanding renewable energy infrastructure, Africa can sustainably bring an end to energy poverty whilst unleashing green industrialisation at scale.
A key to fuelling Africa’s green industrial revolution is hydrogen. Whether it be (green) hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, (pink) hydrogen produced by splitting water molecules using nuclear energy- powered electrolysis, (blue) hydrogen produced from natural gas using a process that captures and stores the carbon dioxide produced as a by-product, or (white) hydrogen that is naturally occurring.
Africa has the huge potential to become a leading player in hydrogen made from renewable and other natural resources. Countries like Angola, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa are at the forefront of this green industrial revolution.
On the sidelines of the Global African Hydrogen Summit in September, the EU’s energy commissioner Kadri Simson signed agreements for a total of €53.9m ($59.9m) funding from the bloc for green hydrogen and renewables in Africa, of which €36.9m has been pegged for investments in Namibia. Commenting on this milestone achievement, Simson shared, “Let’s make sure we collectively seize these economic and employment opportunities.”
As a catalyst for change, the Global African Hydrogen Summit witnessed numerous critical deal signings, MoU agreements and public announcements that will significantly contribute to the advancements of hydrogen and green energy projects across the continent. Following the huge success of the inaugural edition of the Global African Hydrogen Summit 2024, dmg events are delighted to announce that a sequel edition will take place from 9 – 11 September 2025 in Windhoek, Namibia.
The Global African Hydrogen Summit is held under the official patronage and hosted by the Government of Namibia, endorsed by the Ministry of Mines & Energy of Namibia, held in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and supported by the Namibia Green Hydrogen Council and the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P).
Find out more: https://www.globalafricanhydrogensummit.com/
