Africa holds immense promise for low-cost renewable hydrogen production. Yet Africa’s diversity means countries have different starting points for developing a hydrogen economy and driving green industrialization.This research introduces a comprehensive framework to evaluate countries’ readiness, incorporating five key dimensions: water and renewable energy potential; national hydrogen commitment; domestic anchor demand; country risk; and export infrastructure. Through an innovative country clustering analysis, this report identifies three groupings with potential for hydrogen market creation: front runners; momentum builders; and strong foundation. Concrete policy recommendations are made for each group and case studies illustrate the outcomes.

Kenya’s 2023 hydrogen strategy identifies renewable hydrogen as a pathway to sustainable socio-economic development. This H2Global report examines business cases for renewable hydrogen-based ammonia production, identifying four promising regions: Turkana Central, Turkana South, Kisumu, and Mombasa. Simulated levelized costs of ammonia (LCOA) range from 999 to 2,437 EUR/ton-NH₃, exceeding fossil-based alternatives. However, converting renewable ammonia into fertilizer results in competitive local prices, suggesting the economic viability of renewable ammonia-based fertilizer projects in Kenya. Domestic production could reduce reliance on volatile global fertilizer markets and enhance supply security at a lower overall cost.

Due to the nascent stage of hydrogen markets, efficient support allocation mechanisms like auctions are critical. Auctions enable competitive price discovery, helping stakeholders make informed decisions, and connect hydrogen supply with demand. Beyond price optimization, auctions are instrumental in advancing other objectives. The report identifies 22 distinct objectives, grouped into four thematic clusters: scaling, domestic development and speed, sustainability and resilience, and efficiency. The report features case studies of four recent hydrogen auctions. Drawing from the analysis, the report develops recommendations on how to align objectives to minimize trade-offs for maximum impact.

This report examines the role of hydrogen hubs as pivotal enablers of demand within the hydrogen economy, exploring their potential to bridge existing gaps that impede market growth. By anchoring clean hydrogen production and distribution within these hubs, industries can synergize efforts, promote shared infrastructure, and drive down costs through economies of scale.In this report, two types of demand hubs are described: self-sufficient hubs and import-dependent hubs. Based on the analysis, the report develops recommendations on how to promote and use hubs to support demand creation.

The transition to a global hydrogen economy is critical for achieving net-zero emissions and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Midstream hydrogen infrastructure—including pipelines, import terminals, reconversion facilities, and underground hydrogen storage—is projected to be the backbone of this transition, enabling large-scale trade and supply chain integration. However, this infrastructure faces a particularly large investment gap. This report analyses derisking strategies for midstream infrastructure for clean hydrogen and its derivatives, including four support instruments: CAPEX support, anchor capacity booking, contracts for difference, and fixed premiums. Based on the analysis, the report develops dedicated recommendations for the use of each instrument.

Report language: German) The project "Gas Infrastructure in Southeast Europe and North Africa" analyzed the hydrogen production potential from renewable energies, the use of existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen, and possible applications in countries along corridors A and E of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB). An analysis of the Net-Energy-Climate Plans and the expansion potential for wind and solar energy revealed significant export potential for renewable hydrogen to Germany and Central Europe. The existing gas network was identified as the most economical transport option, with the reconversion of the pipelines to hydrogen seen as a key bottleneck. Storage infrastructures must be expanded, benefiting from the existing geological potential.

This policy brief describes the need and benefits of globally harmonized standards and certification processes across the hydrogen value chain Digital certification tools and practices will play an important role, automating and simplifying processes while potentially supporting different definitions, certificates, sustainability frameworks and carbon accounting methodologies. Increasing harmonization will facilitate both project financing and interoperability, and overall liquidity.