Two of SA’s provincial trade and investment associations have entered into a partnership with Namibian and Dutch stakeholders to explore the viability of building Africa’s first cross-country hydrogen pipeline – the western Southern African Development Community green hydrogen production corridor.

The Western Cape’s tourism, trade and investment agency, Wesgro, and the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Namibia’s Environmental Investment Fund, Gasunie and Climate Fund Managers at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam on May 14.

The collaborative effort aims to advance the development of green hydrogen infrastructure linking the Western Cape and Northern Cape regions of South Africa (and targeted expansion into the Eastern Cape) with the Lüderitz/Windhoek region of Namibia. A pre-feasibility study (analysing the technical, commercial, financial, socio-economic and operational aspects of the project) is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

Harry Malila, Director-General of the Western Cape government, spoke about the MoU’s potential to drive substantial investment in green hydrogen infrastructure. “The South African Cabinet will be reviewing the green hydrogen strategy. This will lay the groundwork for significant investment and align with our Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy.” The G4J strategy is the Western Cape government's new economic growth plan, aiming to stimulate private sector-led growth through strategic infrastructure investments that boost growth and exports.