Mercia Geises, CEO of Namibia Hydrogen Fund Managers, believes Africa’s rich renewable energy resources could position the continent at the forefront of green hydrogen development and spark a new wave of industrialisation by 2030. Speaking to Energy Connects ahead of the Global African Hydrogen Summit 2025, Geises outlined both the challenges and opportunities facing the emerging sector, reports Energy Connects.
Her fund currently manages about €65 million and has committed to two projects in Namibia—the Hyphen and HyIron ventures. But Geises said the industry still faces global, regional, and local challenges, particularly around cost. “Electrolysers must become far more efficient and affordable if the sector is to compete with fossil fuels and grey hydrogen,” she noted. Another major hurdle, she added, is the lack of large-scale policy-backed offtake agreements, which are essential for projects to move beyond early stages.
Despite these challenges, Geises sees Africa’s renewable wealth—in countries such as Namibia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Mauritania—as a unique advantage. She said this resource base allows Africa to “leapfrog conventional technologies” and create new industries, skills, and value chains linked to hydrogen. The development of ports, grids, and trade corridors, she added, could also strengthen regional energy self-sufficiency and cross-border trade.
Looking ahead, Geises stressed that progress will depend on global commitment to the energy transition and continued support for the Paris Agreement goals. She also pointed to the importance of attracting investment and tapping climate finance from institutions such as the African Development Bank, the EU, and the World Bank.
“Africa must see green hydrogen not just as an export opportunity but as a catalyst for industrialising our economies,” Geises said. She highlighted new policies around mineral beneficiation, particularly in rare earths, as a space where hydrogen could play a transformative role.
