South Africa is forging ahead with plans to develop its green hydrogen industry through collaboration with Japan, as demonstrated by a recent seminar hosted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) in Johannesburg on February 12. The seminar, attended by key delegates from both South Africa’s private and public sectors and a prominent Japanese business delegation, follows the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and South Africa’s Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in October last year.
Cecil Masoka, the multilateral cooperation director at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), emphasized the importance of implementing the principles outlined in the MoC to facilitate commercial investments between the two countries in green hydrogen and ammonia.
Following the seminar, Jetro will lead the Japanese delegation, comprising representatives from various Japanese corporate and public organizations, on a tour across South Africa to explore the business potential in the country’s burgeoning green hydrogen sector. The delegation will visit key green hydrogen sites in Gauteng and the Western Cape until February 16, engaging with relevant South African stakeholders along the way.
Annelize van der Merwe, the green economy investment promotion director at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), highlighted the approval of the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy by Cabinet, positioning South Africa as a key player in the hydrogen market. She expressed eagerness to collaborate with Japanese companies to capitalize on these opportunities.
Masoka emphasized the importance of partnering with Japan to support domestic use partnerships in hydrogen and ammonia in South Africa, as well as exploring technology transfer possibilities. He emphasized the need to identify large-scale commercial opportunities and infrastructure investments through joint ventures with Japan.
Mahandra Rooplall, an industrial strategist and planner at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), noted the progress of green hydrogen projects in South Africa but highlighted the challenges requiring partnerships and additional funding to bring these projects to fruition. He expressed optimism about potential collaborations with Japan to initiate new green hydrogen projects in South Africa. Overall, the engagements between South African and Japanese stakeholders aim to promote cooperation, information sharing, and joint investments to support the growth of the green hydrogen sector in both countries.
