Clean hydrogen is emerging as a strategic element in a global energy transition increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalry and shifting supply-chain priorities. This report explores how these dynamics are redefining Africa’s role in the global energy landscape. With exceptional renewable resources and proximity to major demand centers, Africa has the potential to become a significant clean hydrogen supplier, yet faces a severe investment gap and rising competition from China, India, the Middle East, and Latin America. The analysis underscores that Africa’s hydrogen trajectory cannot be understood through a techno-economic lens alone; success will depend on leveraging geopolitical shifts, securing strategic partnerships, and strengthening regional cooperation. To position itself strongly, Africa must pursue a dual strategy: building domestic demand anchors in sectors such as fertilizer, steel, and mining to improve project bankability and industrial resilience, while simultaneously developing export opportunities by aligning with key markets and attracting strategic capital. If African countries can align their renewable endowment with emerging geopolitical opportunities, clean hydrogen can become a catalyst for long-term economic resilience, socioeconomic development, and a more influential role in the global energy transition.
