Top-level discussions about future opportunities of clean energy took centre stage at the African Green Hydrogen Summit as global leaders, investors, energy ministers, policy makers, innovators, energy experts, researchers and academics gathered in Cape Town from 10 to 13 June 2025.

Contributing to discussions of South Africa’s emerging green hydrogen sector was #TeamCSIR, who joined panellists to discuss scalable and inclusive green hydrogen development opportunities across the continent and placed Africa’s energy landscape under the spotlight at various prominent panel discussions.  

Environmental scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Abulele Adams moderated a session with South African and European stakeholders on how to create a conducive ecosystem for successful green hydrogen projects. “The session enabled developers to present their projects, raise questions, and engage in open discussion on infrastructure needs and opportunities for collaboration between the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape,” says Adams.

“At the CSIR, we support the private sector, as well as the public sector, in navigating the way forward to a green hydrogen economy,” says CSIR principal researcher Thomas Roos. “The green hydrogen strategies and plans project planning landscape is very dynamic, with technology and international policy developments causing some prior opportunities to vanish and new opportunities to arise. We must draw inspiration from historical strategies and plans, but our planning must remain flexible.” Roos zeroed in on the CSIR having developed a logistical tool to assist the public sector in making rational decisions on the common-user logistics infrastructure to move green hydrogen and derivatives, by road, rail or pipeline.

CSIR Future Production: Mining Executive Manager Bongi Ntsoelengoe moderated a technology session and drew attention to driving Africa’s green hydrogen revolution, highlighting the CSIR’s contributions to economic growth, re-industrialisation and sustainable job creation.

In revealing South Africa's critical minerals opportunities, Hartmut Brodner, CSIR Impact Area Manager for Mining, deliberated on the country’s Critical Minerals Strategy, Just Energy Transition and inclusive economic growth. Brodner underscored the organisation’s role in shaping a resilient and innovation-led minerals sector by reinforcing its commitment to advancing research, innovation and strategic partnerships within the mining sector.

Noteworthy features on the programme include an exhibition, a Power-to-X (PtX) short course, and a meet-and-greet with Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, whose department hosted the event. Highlights of the proceedings were the launch of the African Green Hydrogen Report by Dr Ramokgopa and the keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Announcements included the signing of the South African Renewable Energy Master Plan Pledge, the HIVE Hydrogen and Climate Fund Managers’ Ceremony, and an announcement of the signing and funding of the Industrial Development Corporation and KfW Development Bank Memorandum of Understanding.

This year’s summit showcased progress on the expansion of Africa’s green hydrogen value chain to international markets and allowed CSIR’s multidisciplinary teams to assess potential prospects and possibilities to advance a decarbonised economy. “We’ve had a positive experience at this year’s summit and are better placed to leverage our capabilities that will support alternatives to fossil fuels and boost energy security in South Africa,” says Paul Lochner, CSIR research group leader.