At the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya on September 4th to 6th, 2023, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, received the chairmanship of the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA). This appointment is a significant milestone towards achieving energy security and driving green industrialization on the African continent.
Established in May 2022 by six African countries, namely Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, and South Africa, AGHA has ambitious objectives to facilitate the development of green hydrogen projects across Africa and support the Just Energy Transition. The alliance’s focus lies in public and regulatory policy, capacity building, financing, and certification needs, all essential for mobilizing green hydrogen production for domestic use and export.
During the ACS, Ethiopia and Angola joined AGHA as new members, highlighting the growing recognition of green hydrogen’s potential in shaping Africa’s energy future. As the new chair, Minister Ramokgopa expressed his commitment to advancing the green hydrogen agenda, promoting peer-to-peer learning, technology transfer, economic growth, and job creation.
Minister Ramokgopa participated in panel sessions during the summit, sharing valuable insights on South Africa’s energy outlook and the crucial role green hydrogen plays in ensuring energy security. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships in the energy sector, engaging in multiple high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
Green hydrogen, produced through renewable energy sources, has the potential to transform Africa’s energy landscape. By supporting the expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure, adding additional renewable energy generation capacity, and fostering local development of renewable energy, green hydrogen is a vital component in the pursuit of sustainable energy security.
South Africa’s chairmanship of AGHA is a significant development in the green hydrogen revolution. As a leader in this field, the country has the opportunity to drive decarbonization efforts and propel innovative projects across the continent. By fostering international collaboration and harnessing the power of renewable energy, the AGHA can play an instrumental role in shaping the future of energy in Africa.
Under Minister Ramokgopa’s leadership, South Africa has an extraordinary opportunity to utilize its expertise and resources to promote the green hydrogen agenda. By doing so, the country can contribute to a more sustainable, secure, and prosperous future for the African continent, and establish itself as a global leader in the green energy revolution.
To achieve these goals, fostering a commitment to consistent, sustainable, and affordable energy supply is key. By using the platform provided by the AGHA chairmanship, South Africa can lead by example, demonstrating the potential of green hydrogen and renewable energy to transform the continent’s energy sector and pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.
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