Northern Cape: Powering Africa’s Green Hydrogen Future

The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (AGHS), held in Cape Town from 11–13 June 2025, marked a significant milestone—not just for the continent, but especially for South Africa. As the graduate version of the previous South African Green Hydrogen Summits (2022 and 2023), this year’s platform elevated the conversation from national aspiration to continental execution, spotlighting Africa’s readiness to take the lead in the global green hydrogen economy.

South Africa Leading Africa’s Green Hydrogen Agenda President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s pivotal role in advancing a just energy transition. The Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme—now backed by over R1.4 billion in investment—is creating the industrial and research foundation to support both domestic innovation and export-driven growth. Ongoing policy reforms, including enhanced wheeling regulations and the Renewable Energy Master Plan, are unlocking new private sector investment across the hydrogen value chain.

The Northern Cape: Our Emerging Hydrogen Powerhouse – “from Powerpoint to Gigawatts”

Among the strongest signals at AGHS25 was the elevation of the Northern Cape as the epicentre of South Africa’s green hydrogen future. Presented by Mr. Shawn Modise, Acting CEO of the Northern Cape Economic Development Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA), the province’s Green Hydrogen Master Plan is now internationally recognised as a model of regional readiness.

At the core of this strategy is the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Development Programme—the anchor project of the province’s green hydrogen ambitions. This programme has not only catalysed multilateral engagement across government and state-owned entities but is driving the formulation and finalisation of the Northern Cape Green Hydrogen Master Plan.

Strategic Environmental Assessment: A Game-Changer The imminent completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Boegoebaai development zone is expected to significantly de-risk the investment landscape, supporting:

• Inner Battery Limits (IBL): Siting and feasibility for gigawatt-scale factories and hydrogen/ammonia production plants.
• Outer Battery Limits (OBL): Infrastructure planning for transmission lines and renewable generation across Namakwa District and the Gazetted Energy Corridors.

From Corridor to Catalyst: Regional and Continental Integration

The summit further recognised the Northern Cape’s strategic role in the emerging green hydrogen export corridor, linking with the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Namibia.

National and international investors underscored their interest in the province, citing:

• Strong government commitment to de-risking critical infrastructure (rail, port, energy grid);
• Clear localisation targets and SME support mechanisms;
• A province-wide commitment to community upliftment, youth inclusion, and skills development.

Project Spotlight: Prieska Power Reserve

Also showcased at AGHS25 was the Prieska Power Reserve, led by black women-owned investment firm Mahlako a Phahla.

This transformative green ammonia project has:

• Secured environmental authorisations and water licences.
• Received funding support from KfW Development Bank and IDC;
• Targeted over 70,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia in its first phase, scaling to 500,000 tonnes by 2030;
• Prioritised inclusive procurement, youth and women employment, and community ownership.

Way Forward: From Vision to Implementation

The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit affirmed that Africa is ready to lead—and that the Northern Cape is ready to power it.

To advance this vision, key next steps include:

• Finalising long-term off-take agreements;
• Unlocking blended finance and PPP-led delivery models;
• Embedding green hydrogen within the province’s industrial policy as a catalyst for inclusive growth and infrastructure expansion.

Conclusion

With Boegoebaai as its industrial anchor and the Northern Cape Green Hydrogen Master Plan nearing operational readiness, the province is no longer just a prospect—it is a hydrogen frontier. Let us now shift decisively from planning to execution, ensuring that the green hydrogen economy delivers lasting economic transformation for the Northern Cape and positions it as a global benchmark for green industrialisation.