Europe needs to reduce consumption of Russian natural gas by diversifying its suppliers, reducing gas consumption and switching to other energy carriers, including renewable energy. This policy brief presents an overview of current developments in the natural gas and the renewable hydrogen sectors in Africa. It provides some suggestions for possible cooperation between the European Union and the African continent on LNG and green hydrogen markets.

Cooperation between Africa and Europe on renewable energy can become a building block for a broader cooperation on trade, security, technology, climate and environmental policy, thus strengthening the EU’s external relations towards Africa as strategic partner. A sound cooperation requires development of trade relationships, substantial investments, opening of markets and recognition of African countries as equal partners.

Renewable hydrogen production in Africa for local and export markets could help reduce the costs of production through scaling up and learning-by-doing effects. Intercontinental renewable hydrogen trade can help the EU diversify its sources of energy and reduce geopolitical dependence on Russia and other fossil fuel exporters.

However, at the same time, Africa need to develop its renewable energy resources for domestic consumption to support its economic development and will require support from Europe for this purpose.

Renewable hydrogen can also be used as a feedstock and fuel by African industry to produce green products with higher value-added than raw materials such as green steel, green fertilizers and cement for domestic consumption or exports to the European Union.

The GFSE policy Brief can be found here:

https://www.gfse.at/fileadmin/user_upload/gfse_policy_brief_gas_africa_v7_clean.pdf