Minister in the Presidency for Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has concluded his working visit to Nairobi, Kenya, where he was handed the chairmanship of the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA) on the sidelines of the Inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS), which took place from September 4 to 6.

Green hydrogen and its associated large-scale renewable energy production is posited to have the potential to support the expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure, to add additional renewable energy generation capacity and to support the local development of renewable energy.

As such, it is highlighted as a key component of South Africa’s future energy mix to achieve sustainable energy security.

The AGHA was formed in May 2022, by six African countries – Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa – to drive decarbonisation through green hydrogen.

The alliance seeks to intensify collaboration and supercharge the development of green hydrogen projects on the African continent in line with the just energy transition.

It focuses on public and regulatory policy, capacity building, financing and certification needs to mobilise green hydrogen production for domestic use and export.

The inclusion of Ethiopia and Angola as members was also announced alongside South Africa taking over as chair of the AGHA.

Ramokgopa said he would use the position to advance the green hydrogen agenda on the continent in line with the objectives of the alliance and support opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, technology transfer, economic and employment opportunities.

During the ACS, the Minister participated in panel sessions where he shared lessons on South Africa’s energy outlook and the role of green hydrogen in supporting energy security and driving green industrialisation.

On the margins of the summit, he engaged in multiple high-level bilateral meetings to explore energy collaborations and meaningful partnerships in the energy space.