Southern Africa benefits from inaugural green hydrogen fund

• South Africa and Namibia have vast green hydrogen potential, but limited domestic capital has stalled infrastructure growth. The CI3 fund claims to bridge this gap, attracting private investment to turn policy goals into reality and fast-track the region’s emergence as a green hydrogen hub.

• The blended finance model used by CI3 aims to reduce risk for private investors by using public and donor funds to absorb early-stage losses. This approach lowers financial barriers and should make large-scale infrastructure development easier in the face of high capital requirements.

• Our take: Blended finance is not a silver bullet, but it provides a viable pathway to fast-track Africa’s green hydrogen revolution.… Read more (2 min)

Hyphen Energy developing green hydrogen talent in Namibia

• Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, coupled with abundant wind and solar resources, positions the continent as a future global leader in green hydrogen production. However, a critical challenge lies in the lack of local expertise needed to support and sustain commercial-scale green hydrogen projects. 

• The Hyphen initiative plays a pivotal role in bridging the skills gap, directly linking technical training to industry demand. By prioritising local workforce development, the programme enhances youth employability, reduces reliance on foreign expertise, and strengthens the region’s capacity to sustain and expand green hydrogen operations.

• Our take: The training collaboration is not just about energy production; it’s about community transformation..… Read more (2 min)

Morocco and Nigeria dominate funding in February

• In Morocco, Hydrojeel, a subsidiary of state-owned fertiliser producer OCP Group, secured a $32 million grant from Germany’s PtX Development Fund to develop the Jorf Hydrogen Platform. The facility will produce 100,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually using green hydrogen generated on-site, with plans to scale up to 1 million tonnes by 2027 and 3 million tonnes by 2032.

• Founded in February 2024 by InnovX, OCP Group’s innovation and technology arm, Hydrojeel was established to lead the company’s Green Hydrogen & Green Ammonia Program. The initiative aims to scale hydrogen production, develop green ammonia, and advance sustainable energy technologies, reinforcing Morocco’s growing role as a regional hub for clean hydrogen and ammonia exports.

• Our take: The scale of recent green hydrogen investments in Morocco and Nigeria signals that Africa is not just participating in the global energy transition, it is positioning itself as a powerhouse..… Read more (2 min)

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