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President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on African countries to seize the opportunity presented by green hydrogen as a catalyst for industrial transformation, energy security, and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Africa Green Hydrogen Summit at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town on Thursday, President Ramaphosa positioned the continent as a key player in the emerging global green hydrogen economy.

“Our beloved continent Africa, the cradle of humanity, is uniquely positioned to become a major player in green hydrogen because it has abundant renewable resources manifested in high solar irradiance, strong winds and hydropower potential. 

“The vast land our continent has lends itself to large-scale renewable energy projects. We are therefore perfectly placed to leverage the global shift towards cleaner energy sources for our collective advantage,” the President said. 

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Originally launched in 2022 as a South African initiative to articulate its national vision, the summit has now evolved into a continental platform to harness Africa’s green hydrogen potential. 

Held under the theme: “Unlocking Africa’s Green Hydrogen Potential for Sustainable Growth”, this innovative summit convenes African energy ministers, policymakers, investors, developers, technology partners, and research institutions to shape the continent’s emerging green hydrogen sector.

READ | Green hydrogen can ‘reposition’ Africa within global value chains

New energy could spark million of jobs

President Ramaphosa noted that over 52 large-scale projects have been announced across the continent, including South Africa’s Coega Green Ammonia project, the AMAN project in Mauritania and Project Nour in Morocco. 

The target, as articulated through the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA), is to produce 30 to 60 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2050. 

It is estimated that this could create between two and four million new jobs in alliance member states by 2050.

The Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance brings together a number of African nations, including Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa. 

“To make use of these opportunities, we need to establish appropriate policy and regulatory environments. We must continue to move as a continent to develop regional certification schemes, hydrogen corridors and green product export platforms. 

“We commend the work of countries like Mauritania, which has taken early steps on certification. It will be critical that we learn from one another and converge on standards that work for Africa,” the President said. 

The President acknowledged the critical need for regulatory certainty, robust certification systems, and market access, stressing that investment and offtake agreements would be key to unlocking Africa’s green hydrogen future.

“We cannot close that gap with potential alone. We must match it with demand signals, regulatory certainty and project preparation support. We need to ensure that there is sufficient and growing demand. This includes building domestic demand in African countries,” the President said. 

In this regard, the President noted that the launch of green hydrogen production for mobility in Sasolburg and policy enablers for domestic offtake are important foundational steps. 

“As we explore these exciting opportunities, we must work to address the impediments to the growth of this industry,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa also highlighted Germany’s continued support through the H2Global mechanism, which has allocated one of its bidding windows to Africa and praised ongoing bilateral cooperation with the EU on green hydrogen projects, including Sasol’s HySHiFT sustainable aviation fuel initiative.

READ | Germany, South Africa collaborate on green hydrogen

The H2Global mechanism is opening its second bidding window, with one of the four lots allocated to Africa. 

“The African lot, which is funded by the German government, will guarantee offtake for successful projects on the continent. 

“A Joint Declaration of Intent with the German government focuses on market access, offfake opportunities and value-additive benefits in the production of green steel and green fertiliser. We commend the German government for its commitment to African supply,” the President said. 

At home, South Africa is accelerating efforts to localise hydrogen production and industrial use. The country has invested R1.49 billion in its Hydrogen South Africa programme, launched new wheeling regulations, and initiated pilot projects, such as green hydrogen mobility in Sasolburg, and advanced planning for the Coega project. 

In addition, the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan has been launched to integrate renewable energy and hydrogen into broader industrial development goals.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the many challenges facing the sector, including high capital costs, global investment gaps, and stiff competition from fossil fuels but urged unity and urgency in building an African-led hydrogen economy.

“Tempered by these realities, this summit must not only be a platform of ideas. It must be a platform of commitments. We must put the African voice at the centre of global energy rulemaking. We must be authors of our own future,” he said. 

Africa Green Hydrogen Summit an important part of SA’s G20 vision

South Africa, which currently chairs the G20, has chosen just energy transitions as a key theme for its presidency, placing green hydrogen at the heart of its climate resilience and industrialisation agenda.

 

IN PICTURES | Green Hydrogen Summit

 

“The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit is an important part of that vision. Hydrogen is a bridge to a new export industry for African countries. It is an enabler for Africa’s energy independence and climate resilience,” he said. 

More importantly, the President framed green hydrogen as more than an energy source, describing it as an “anchor for industrial transformation and infrastructure investment”.

“We are called upon to join hands to build this bridge together as Africans, as partners and as builders of a green, prosperous and inclusive future,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government is maintaining a “razor sharp” focus on the resolution of challenges that are hampering the growth of the South African economy.

This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who delivered the post-Cabinet media statement on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) revealed that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had increased marginally by some 0.1% during the first quarter of 2025, following an increase of 0.4% in the previous quarter – showing sluggish performance.

“Cabinet remains concerned about the decline in the manufacturing industry more so when government has prioritised boosting local manufacturing and thus Cabinet awaits the finalisation of the revised industrial policy.

“Government understands the impact of the challenges within the freight and logistics [sector] that continues to impact the growth of the mining industry which also experienced a decline. We are maintaining razor sharp focus on the work of Operation Vulindlela Phase Two and [the] Government-Business Partnership in urgently resolving the logistics challenges that are hampering the economic growth of this country,” she said at the briefing held in Cape Town.

The Minister added that Cabinet welcomes the National Assembly’s approval of the 2025 Fiscal Framework – known as the budget – that is geared at stepping up spending on infrastructure investment to R1 trillion over the medium term.

In the same vein, Cabinet noted reports which have raised concern about Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) related to the informal sector.

“The [QLFS] collects data on the labour market activities of individuals aged 15 years and older on a quarterly basis. Furthermore, Stats SA produces a comprehensive report every four years which includes a dedicated module for the survey of employers and self-employed. 

“This survey aims to provide in-depth insights into the characteristics and operations of the informal sector businesses in South Africa. Cabinet has been discussing the option of either a quarterly or annual [survey]…however, Stats SA would require access to a business register of informal businesses which is currently absent.

“We previously announced that Cabinet approved the National Business Licensing Policy which will enable a standardisation of licensing of informal businesses…over a period of time of its implementation, the Department of Small Business Development should be able to create a reliable register of informal businesses that will improve the ability of Stats SA to draw reliable data for the QLFS,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Cabinet has welcomed the swift response by the Department of Agriculture following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that has affected KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

“Despite the warnings that were issued, FMD was imported into Gauteng as people continued to move livestock to the province of Gauteng,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday in Cape Town.

The department has ordered over 900 000 doses of vaccines, with the first batch expected to arrive soon.

“All infected properties are placed under quarantine. No movement is allowed into, out of, or through these areas or farms. 

“Large areas, where individuals cannot be served with quarantine notices, are declared Disease Management Areas, and the same restrictions apply.

In addition, plans are underway to establish a biosecurity council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority and captains of industry to better respond to future outbreaks and manage the related risks,” Ntshavheni said.

She was addressing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 11 June 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has assured South Africans that government, through the Department of Health, is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1.

“Cabinet calls on all citizens to ensure good hygiene practices, including avoiding unnecessary hand shaking, washing hands with soap, covering the mouth when coughing, using a mask when one has flu and staying home when one is not feeling well,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday, in Cape Town.

This as the virus is associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrated that through these simple measures we could reduce the spread of respiratory illness.”

The Minister was briefing members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 11 June 2025.

According to Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa has robust surveillance systems that is managed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

READ | SA closely monitoring new COVID variant spreading across Asia

The NICD manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity. –SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones during the devastating storms and heavy floods that claimed the lives of 57 people in the Eastern Cape.

Due to the recent adverse weather conditions in the province, several families have been displaced and infrastructure was damaged. 

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said government is coordinating rescue and support operations through the inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Disaster Management.

“Emergency teams have also been deployed from Gqeberha, East London and the Chris Hani District to the affected areas to support local first responders. Cabinet extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the flooding across various areas in the Eastern Cape,” Ntshavheni said in Cape Town, during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

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Earlier this week, a severe winter weather system resulted in a significant and dramatic drop in daytime temperatures in all provinces. This resulted in severe incidents of extremely cold weather, with coastal provinces experiencing rough seas and rainfall.

The Eastern Cape was the hardest hit by the severe weather conditions. 

A scholar transport minibus transporting children was swept by water near Mthatha, leading to the loss of life. 

Some media reports say three children survived the ordeal after they were found clinging to a tree. 

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is visiting flood-affected communities in and around Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to assess the impact of the recent floods and evaluate the progress of ongoing disaster response efforts. 

READ | Minister Hlabisa visits flood-affected Eastern Cape

–SAnews.gov.za