Electrical Power & Protection


Turning the continent into a global leader for green fuel

November 2024 Electrical Power & Protection

Africa is at a turning point, with the potential to shift from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a leader in advanced manufacturing, particularly in the growing green hydrogen market. For this transformation to happen, African countries must work together, combining their resources and talents to build a strong local economy. By doing so, they can reduce reliance on imports and foster innovation within the continent.


Viren Sookhun, managing director at Oxyon People Solutions.

Collaboration is key to this vision. African nations need to focus on developing the full value chain, from research to manufacturing, to unlock new opportunities in the energy sector. With the right partnerships, Africa can become a self-sustaining energy powerhouse, and play a major role in the global shift towards sustainable energy.

Unlocking Africa’s green energy potential

With a world increasingly focused on decarbonisation and sustainable energy, Africa finds itself at a pivotal juncture. The continent is blessed with abundant solar, wind and hydro resources, making it an ideal location to produce green hydrogen and renewable fuels.

Instead of competing for leadership in green fuel production, African nations should align their strengths and resources to develop a comprehensive energy strategy. For example, southern Africa’s superior solar resources can be harnessed for large-scale solar farms, while coastal regions with high wind potential can provide the energy required for electrolysers in Namibia, Egypt and East Africa. Through shared infrastructure and distribution channels, African countries can supply green hydrogen to Europe and the US, establishing themselves as major players in the global energy market.

Building a unified value chain

The goal is not only to produce green hydrogen for export, but also to drive local demand and consumption. There is a need to localise the entire value chain – processing mined platinum group metals (PGMs) locally, developing technologies for electrolyser and fuel cell manufacturing, and expanding green hydrogen applications across the continent.

To make this vision a reality, African countries must invest in skills development, build local industries, and create new technologies. Manufacturing key components of the green hydrogen industry domestically will reduce reliance on imports, stimulate job creation, and spur economic growth. Additionally, existing infrastructure such as ports and pipelines should be used to expedite the distribution of green hydrogen both locally and globally.

The importance of regional cooperation

By sharing resources, standardising policies, and conducting joint research, African countries can pool their strengths to create economies of scale. A multi-country approach can facilitate investment, foster regional trade and ensure that Africa competes effectively on a global scale.

The planned green hydrogen pipeline from Namibia to South Africa, extending down to Saldanha Bay, is an example of the kind of large-scale development needed across the continent. Such projects demonstrate the benefits of shared infrastructure, which can serve both local consumption and export needs.

Africa’s place in the global energy market

Africa’s potential to dominate the global green hydrogen market is significant, but there are challenges to be addressed. Currently, Africa’s demand for green hydrogen is limited, and there is a risk that an over-reliance on exports could make the continent vulnerable to global market fluctuations. To mitigate these risks, African countries should diversify their energy mix, develop capabilities in related technologies like fuel cells and electrolysis, and encourage domestic green hydrogen consumption in sectors such as transportation and power generation.

At the same time, collaboration among African countries will allow for the aggregation of demand and a larger internal market for green hydrogen, increasing scalability. By fostering local industries and workforce development programmes, African nations can ensure that they maintain control over the value chain, creating jobs and bolstering their economies.

A future powered by collaboration

The numbers speak volumes about the urgency of Africa’s need to collaborate. With an estimated GDP of $3,1 trillion in 2023, Africa must leverage its collective economic power to compete with larger markets like the EU, USA and China. The economies of South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco alone account for nearly half of Africa’s GDP. If African countries compete against one another rather than working together, they risk being left behind in the global energy transition.

The future of Africa’s green hydrogen economy lies in cooperation. By aligning resources, sharing knowledge, and investing in skills development, African countries can accelerate their transition to a green hydrogen economy, reduce their carbon footprint, and create new industries and job opportunities. This collaborative approach will not only position Africa as a key player in the global energy market, but will also drive economic development across the continent.

With platforms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and initiatives within the African Union, Africa already has the foundation for this collaboration. Now is the time to build on these efforts and turn the continent into the world’s powerhouse for green energy. Africa cannot remain in development mode forever. By working together, its nations can become leaders in the global energy transition.

For more information contact Oxyon, +27 74 992 6940, viren@oxyon.co.za, www.oxyon.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power supply with scalability optimised
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular to the South African marketplace. This robust uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to protect critical loads while offering third-party verified Live Swap functionality.

Read more...
Prioritising arc flash safety
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
Comtest has developed a range of thermal imaging and wireless testing tools from Fluke, designed to ensure safety is the top priority for engineers working in potentially dangerous arc flash zones.

Read more...
Hot Dip Galvanizers Association shines new light on renewable energy
Electrical Power & Protection
The Hot Dip Galvanizers Association of Southern Africa plays an important role in supporting the energy value chain – which spans clean, renewable and green energy – as it powers towards key sustainability targets.

Read more...
ACTOM supplies high-voltage equipment to wind farm project
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM High Voltage Equipment is currently in the process of manufacturing 400 kV and 132 kV high-voltage primary equipment for the Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm project in Mpumalanga.

Read more...
Energy measurement module for BL20 I/O System
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Turck’s BL20 energy measurement module enables precise monitoring of the energy consumption of single- or three-phase systems.

Read more...
Distributed energy resource management systems: a grid symphony
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
To listen to a symphony is one of the world’s great gifts. A conductor must ensure that instruments play beautifully as a whole and are kind to the ear and uplifting to the spirit yet shine in their individuality. The same can be said of a DERMS, which must effectively manage diverse energy sources to avoid compromising the grid’s integrity.

Read more...
Focus on energy sector infrastructure development can drive economic growth
Electrical Power & Protection
Post-election periods in South Africa often see a renewed focus on infrastructure development, with a specific emphasis on directing investments towards the energy sector. This strategic approach aims to accelerate economic growth, address energy challenges, and ultimately uplift the overall standard of living for the populace.

Read more...
Epiroc showcases battery-electric drill rig at MINExpo 2024
Electrical Power & Protection
Epiroc recently showcased a demonstrator of the first ever Down-The-Hole SmartROC D65 battery-electric drill rig at the MINExpo exhibition in Las Vegas.

Read more...
Smart metering for utility management and sustainability
Electrical Power & Protection
Theodore Paraskevakos, a Greek-American inventor and businessman, developed the first smart meters in 1972 while collaborating with Boeing. Since then, smart meters have evolved significantly.

Read more...
How best to benefit from biofuels
Electrical Power & Protection
The local manufacturing and industrial sector is showing increasing interest regarding switching to biofuels as a fuel source. However, the biomass fuels market is mostly still in its infancy, making it extremely challenging for South African companies to make the right decisions when moving away from traditional fossil fuels.

Read more...