The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit 2026 opened in Cape Town with calls for greater practical cooperation, investment and local industrial capacity to turn Africa’s green hydrogen potential into economic growth and energy security.
Held under the theme “Moving Africa’s Green Hydrogen Sector from PowerPoint to Gigawatts,” the two-day summit has brought together more than 1,000 delegates from 17 countries, including government officials, investors, energy experts and industry leaders.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said Africa is well positioned to become a major global hub for green hydrogen, citing its renewable energy and water resources as well as its reserves of critical minerals.
“Green hydrogen sits at the intersection of two of the defining imperatives of our time: firstly, to strengthen energy resilience and security, and, secondly, to grow inclusive, low-carbon economies,” Ramaphosa said.
He called for stronger cooperation among African countries on standards, certification, infrastructure corridors and project preparation, while urging technology partners to establish manufacturing, training and research capacity on the continent.
Ramaphosa also stressed the need for greater African participation across the green hydrogen value chain, saying the continent should not be viewed solely as a market for imported equipment.
“Africa should not simply be seen as a market for imported equipment,” he said, calling for African countries to participate as owners, manufacturers, technology partners, producers and markets.
The president urged African development finance institutions to expand funding for project preparation and provide financing mechanisms suited to first-of-a-kind projects.
He also called on prospective buyers to move beyond non-binding expressions of interest and conclude credible long-term offtake agreements to support the development of bankable green hydrogen projects.
South Africa advances green hydrogen projects
South Africa has launched the first wave of six priority green hydrogen projects, according to Ramaphosa.
The Saldanha Bay electro-sustainable aviation fuel project, led by Phelan Green Group, has reached a final investment decision, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
A second wave of projects is expected to follow, expanding South Africa’s portfolio of green hydrogen developments.
The summit comes as African countries seek to develop renewable energy resources and green hydrogen production while attracting investment, building local manufacturing capacity and creating new industrial value chains.
Participants are expected to discuss project development, financing, infrastructure, technology, regulation and potential markets as African countries seek to move green hydrogen projects from planning stages to commercial-scale production.
