The European Union (EU) will invest almost Ksh1.8 billion (€12 million) in Kenya’s green hydrogen industry.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, announced on Tuesday, during the Africa Climate Summit after launching the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap alongside President William Ruto.
According to a communiqué from the European Commission, the funds will be provided in the form of grants to attract public and private investments into the green hydrogen industry.
This substantial commitment is in addition to the Ksh532 billion that the EU has already dedicated to Kenya's climate change and nature initiatives.
Speaking about the initiative, Von der Leyen lauded the green hydrogen roadmap, adding that it would multiply the country’s exports.
“Kenya's ambitious target of 100% clean energy by 2030 is an inspiration for other countries. The Roadmap on Green hydrogen will support Kenya towards that goal. It will help cut emissions, support a strategic industry for the country's future and boost its export capacity towards partners like the EU,” she stated.
On his end, President Ruto emphasised that the strategy would create several employment opportunities for Kenyans.
“The Green Hydrogen strategy prioritizes economic expansion, generation of job opportunities, and the promotion of environmental stewardship and charts a course for Kenya to harness the potential of green hydrogen as a key driver of energy transition," he remarked.
"Green hydrogen economy will enhance food security including expansion of green production of Kenyan tea, coffee, horticulture, floriculture and grains. It will also facilitate decarbonization of our industries and indeed the economy,” the head of state added.
The green hydrogen strategy seeks to produce hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable sources, resulting in energy production without carbon dioxide emissions.
This approach will allow for local hydrogen production, reducing the need for importing key commodities like nitrogen fertilizers and methanol.
Locally manufactured nitrogen fertilizers are expected to improve food security by ensuring their ready availability to farmers.
Additionally, the strategy is poised to act as a catalyst for industrialization by establishing value chains dedicated to green hydrogen production and its derivatives, thereby creating employment opportunities across the entire green hydrogen value chain.
Furthermore, the strategy and roadmap are designed to attract both public and private investments to Kenya, a goal that will be supported by the EU's grants, facilitating the country's journey towards a sustainable and green energy future.
