International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

South Africa Strategy - South African Hydrogen Economy Activities - National Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cell R&D Strategy Development (2006) South Africa Roadmap - Hydrogen Society Roadmap For South Africa 2021 (17 Feb 2022) - South Africa Hydrogen Valley Feasibility Study (Oct 2021)

Update: June 2026 North-West University (NWU), through HySA Infrastructure, entered into a formal Service Level Agreement with the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) on 20 February 2026 to support the development and implementation of a Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation. Under this agreement, NWU serves as the official implementation partner responsible for delivering training, capacity building, and specialised technical support aligned with national skills development priorities. This initiative strengthens collaboration between academia and the mining sector and supports the development of hydrogen-related competencies for South Africa’s emerging green energy workforce.   Under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme for South Africa project on “Enhancing the institutional capacity of South Africa to coordinate the implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM)” in partnership with UNIDO, a pre-feasibility study on mitigation potential, water, and energy use in green hydrogen applications for industry was conducted.   The completed pre-feasibility study, focuses on green hydrogen for decarbonizing ground support vehicles in the Or Tambo International Airport, developed in partnership with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Or Tambo Special Economic Zone. The study incorporates policy and regulatory recommendations to complement national frameworks for green hydrogen deployment.   The DSTI is supporting the “Feasibility Study for Hydrogen Powered Mining Equipment Conversion using Hydrogen Combustion Technology for Surface and Underground Mining Applications”. This initiative is in partnership with the Minerals Council South Africa (MCSA). The initiative is aimed at decarbonisation of the mining sector using Hydrogen as fuel for heavy-duty vehicles. MCSA represents mining companies producing about 90% of South Africa’s mineral production and is the principal advocate of major policy positions endorsed by the mining industry employers. The MCSA has already put in place the building blocks to ensure that it plays its facilitation role in decarbonising the mining industry and supporting the hydrogen economy. Part of the solution on this decarbonisation journey is the roll out and adoption of green hydrogen technologies, especially related to fuel cell technology. Given the high cost of moving directly from diesel to a hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle, the project proposes hydrogen injection in the diesel combustion chamber, i.e. use of a dual hydrogen diesel fuel, which could reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 30%, depending on the hydrogen substitution rate.   The inaugural Cabinet-approved Interministerial Committee on Hydrogen Economy meeting, chaired by the Deputy President of South Africa, was convened last week. The Interministerial Committee on Hydrogen Economy is aimed at improving coordination and alignment, particularly across the public sector on the implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy and other hydrogen economy-related policies and strategies at national, provincial and local government levels.   The IMC on Hydrogen Economy is also expected to ensure: A single point of entry for all engagements related to the hydrogen economy; An enabling environment for effective project execution through an integrated and programmatic approach; and The optimal allocation and usage of resources across identified catalytic projects.

Significant progress has been made across multiple hydrogen and fuel cell R&D areas: Hydrogen Production & Processes Research into methane pyrolysis has advanced, including the scale-up of a stable and highly active catalyst. The technology shows potential to produce hydrogen at a cost of approximately USD 2–3/kg, making it competitive with blue hydrogen. Further work is ongoing to address certification requirements depending on methane feedstock sources. Electrolysis & Hydrogen Systems A 2 kW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolyser system was developed in collaboration with industry, demonstrating dynamic hydrogen production using renewable energy inputs. The system operates at approximately 8.2 L/min hydrogen production and 10 bar pressure, with in-house development of catalyst-coated membranes, catalysts, and stack components. Fuel Cell Technologies & Manufacturing South Africa’s first fuel cell stack assembly line has been commissioned, enabling modular stack production (3.6 kW to 60 kW) and supporting local value addition of platinum group metals (PGMs). Hydrogen Storage A novel metal hydride hydrogen storage system has been developed for fuel cell-powered forklifts, reducing system cost while increasing storage capacity and improving refuelling times. Catalysis & Materials Development: Scaled production of advanced Pt-based catalysts (Pt-Ni and Pt-Ru systems) has been achieved, improving oxygen reduction reaction activity and CO tolerance while reducing platinum loading requirements. Development of iridium-based catalysts for PEM electrolysis is progressing, with long-term durability testing underway. A new method for catalyst deposition has been patented, strengthening the intellectual property portfolio. Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs): A scalable technology platform for producing PEM fuel cell MEAs has been established, with validated prototypes achieving performance comparable to or exceeding international benchmarks. These systems have reached TRL 7 and are ready for integration into demonstration projects.

Update: June 2026 Demonstration & Deployment Semi-pilot testing of methane pyrolysis systems has been completed, with a mobile unit currently under development for field testing. The metal hydride hydrogen storage system is being integrated into a hydrogen-powered forklift, with deployment expected by October 2026. The 2 kW PEM electrolyser system has been delivered for research and demonstration purposes. Workforce Development Six interns were trained in PEM fuel cell and electrolyser technologies, focusing on catalyst development, MEA fabrication, and performance evaluation. Mintek maintains a dedicated hydrogen and fuel cell team of eight permanent staff. The Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation (via NWU–MQA partnership) will further strengthen national skills development pipelines. Deployments The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, handed over the deployment of two projects under the DSTI’s energy research, development and innovation flagship programmes on 30 April 2026. The Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station, developed in partnership with North-West University and Toyota South Africa Motors to support the decarbonisation of the transport sector. The Rapid Prototype Training and Testing Facility, developed in partnership with North-West University and African Rainbow Minerals, was also opened by the Minister. The facility is designed to accelerate the development and scaling of water electrolysis technologies from laboratory to pilot and industrial applications.

Update: June 2026 South Africa hosted a high-level delegation from Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics (IEEJ) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in November 2025, strengthening bilateral cooperation under the Hydrogen and Ammonia Memorandum of Cooperation. The HySecunda matchmaking workshop (18–20 November 2025) brought together South African and German stakeholders, including multiple Fraunhofer Institutes, to advance collaboration in green hydrogen technologies. HySA Infrastructure launched an interactive virtual tour of its facilities to support international collaboration and remote engagement. Participation in key international platforms includes: UNIDO International Conference on Clean Hydrogen (Vienna, April 2026) World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition (Rotterdam, May 2026) ·       Collaboration opportunities Open calls under Horizon Europe funding programmes. Ongoing interest in international collaboration on carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), particularly in green methanol and dimethyl ether (DME), with a focus on catalyst development.

Update: June 2026 To support the advancement of the hydrogen economy as stipulated in the Cabinet-approved Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM) and the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy (GHCS), the DSTI in partnership with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which is an agency of the DSTI mandated to bridge the gap between research and development (R&D) and the commercialisation of innovative products and services, has approved the establishment of  a Hydrogen Innovation Programme (HIP). The mandate of HIP is to support, facilitate and promote the commercialisation and sustainable local manufacturing of locally developed and publicly financed and intellectual property (IP) emanating from the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Programme.   A funding allocation of R13 million for Year 1 has been approved as seed funding to set up the manufacturing plant and cover the operating expenditure (OPEX) to produce and supply one (1) ton of advanced AB5 and AB2-type metal hydride (MH) alloys using sustainable local feedstock, which are key to safe, efficient hydrogen storage, purification, and compression. The HIP funding for this project will assist in scaling up the MH alloy manufacturing in a coordinated way by focusing on de-risking the technical and financial aspects of the project, thereby allowing potential investments from development finance institutions (DFIs) such as Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) and Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to consider funding R3 million for years 2 and 3 for OPEX.   In support of the recently Cabinet-approved South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), the DSTI has approved a funding allocation of R3.5 million to support the establishment of Africa’s first International Network of Wind Energy Measurement Institutes (MEASNET) Accreditation for CSIR’s Subsonic Wind Tunnel Facilities. The accredited facilities will be the first in Africa. The wind energy market in South Africa is set for substantial expansion. The nation boasts over 3.5 GW of installed wind capacity and aims to increase this by 14.4 GW by 2030 as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan. With more than 30 operational wind farms and numerous others in the pipeline, the need for precise wind speed calibration is anticipated to rise significantly. The accreditation will address a significant gap in local wind energy measurement infrastructure, and provide a sustainable remedy to the high costs, extended lead times, and logistical hurdles currently encountered by the local industry. The accreditation will enable the CSIR to expand its impact and offer world-class wind speed sensor calibration services.  According to industry standards and stakeholder feedback, the CSIR facility expects to calibrate between 300 and 500 anemometers each year during the initial three years of operation, with plans to scale up as regional demand grows. In terms of skills development, the accreditation will enable CSIR to conduct focused training and mentorship programs that will produce trained and qualified technical personnel equipped with the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) Certificate. These experts will promote calibration, testing, and monitoring across wind farms in South Africa and the broader continent.

Update: June 2026 A new national standard, SABS 2176, has been developed and is currently open for public comment. The standard defines criteria for green and low-carbon hydrogen in South Africa, including certification requirements covering production through to the point of consumption.   This standard covers the criteria for South Africa, defining Green and low-carbon hydrogen and certification requirements, for the production, storage, conditioning, transport, measurement, and use of hydrogen. It also illustrates the system boundary parameters required. It will also specify the criteria for exporting product to key countries to meet certification requirements and provides the basis of hydrogen purity levels applicable. This standard is also designed for production facilities aligned with exporting and eligible hydrogen production pathways only. It does not cover infrastructure requirements for the production of hydrogen. This standard provides criteria aimed at the mitigation of technological barriers, providing flexibility of hydrogen production in the South African environment.   The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) developed specific Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines tailored for green hydrogen projects to ensure responsible planning while accelerating approval processes.   The DFFE also launched the Green Hydrogen Potential Atlas in collaboration with CSIR and GIZ - an interactive geospatial tool mapping optimal locations for green hydrogen production.   Under the GCF Readiness Programme for South Africa project on “Enhancing the institutional capacity of South Africa to coordinate the implementation of the HSRM” in partnership with UNIDO, a guideline on the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) for hydrogen projects in South Africa was developed. This comprises detailed set of criteria and safeguards to guide future hydrogen developments. Sustainability-social dimensions and criteria were developed to raise hydrogen-specific awareness and understanding of social license to operate, community risks and benefits as well as labour standards.

Ministry of Science and Innovation

Hydrogen Valley Video https://www.strawberryfields.nu/project/hydrogen_valley.html Password: alley

South African Statement (PDF); 40th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 5-6 October 2023 South African Statement (PDF); 39th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 26-27 April 2023 South African Statement (PDF); 38th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 29 Nov - 1 Dec 2022 South African Statement (PDF); 37th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 26-27 April 2022 South African Statement (PDF); 36th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 16 - 17 Nov 2021 South African Statement (PDF); 35th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 22 - 25June 2021 South African Statement (PDF); 34th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 1 - 4 December 2020 South African Statement (PDF); 32nd Steering Committee Meeting; Seoul, Republic of Korea; 21-15 October 2019 South African Statement (PDF); 31st Steering Committee Meeting; Vienna, Austria; 9-12 April 2019 South African Statement (PDF); 30th Steering Committee Meeting; Pretoria, South Africa; 4-7 December 2018 South African Statement (PDF); 29th Steering Committee Meeting; Japan; 8-11 May 2018 South African Statement (PDF); 28th Steering Committee Meeting; Netherlands; 20-23 November 2017 South African Statement (PDF); 25th Steering Committee Meeting; Berkeley, CA, USA; 17-20 May 2016 South African Statement (PDF); 23rd Steering Committee Meeting; Wuhan, China; 27-28 May 2015 South African Statement (PDF); 22nd Steering Committee Meeting; Rome, Italy; 2-3 December 2014 South African Statement (PDF); 21st Steering Committee Meeting; Oslo, Norway; 19-21 May 2014 South African Statement (PDF); 20th Steering Committee Meeting; City of Fukuoka, Japan; 20-21 November 2013 South African Statement (PDF); 19th Steering Committee Meeting; London, United Kingdom; 23-24 May 2013 South African Statement (PDF); 13th Joint Meeting of the ILC & SC; Essen, Germany; May 2010

Contact: Cosmas Chiteme | Cosmas.Chiteme@dst.gov.za