EU bets on Africa as hydrogen powerhouse
Renewables-rich continent has vast potential as supplier to the EU and other regions, but project developers face multiple challenges
The EU aims to import significant volumes of green hydrogen from Africa by 2030 but faces competition from China, the US and the Middle East amid growing interest in the continent’s largely untapped renewables potential. The EU aims to ramp up its imports of renewable hydrogen to 10mt/yr by 2030. “A fair chunk, 30–50% of what the EU requires, will come from Africa,” said Mourad el-Yaalaoui, chair of the board at investment firm Public Ventures. “Nonetheless, Africa will not place all its eggs in the EU basket or any other single basket.” The new generation of African leaders are formidable strategic thinkers and doers, he added. “Africa has an interest in doing business with Europe, but the

Also in this section
7 August 2025
Draft law opens door to large-scale carbon capture and storage, and could unleash investment in gas-based hydrogen projects
6 August 2025
The US state of Kansas is emerging as a hotspot for a growing number of gold hydrogen prospectors
6 August 2025
EU industry and politicians are pushing back against the bloc’s green agenda. Meanwhile, Brussels’ transatlantic trade deal with Washington could consolidate US energy dominance
25 July 2025
Oil major cites strategy reset as it walks away from Australian Renewable Energy Hub, leaving partner InterContinental Energy to lead one of world’s largest green hydrogen projects