Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Rania Al-Mashat, inaugurated a National Consultation Workshop on Green Hydrogen, aimed at boosting investment in the sector. The event, titled “Empowering Egypt: Fuelling the Future with Green Hydrogen Investments,” was organized by the European Union as part of the MED GEM initiative, which supports green hydrogen development across the Southern Mediterranean. It brought together a diverse group of government officials, experts, academics, and private sector representatives.
The workshop featured key Egyptian stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministries of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Finance, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Environment, and Investment. Also in attendance were officials from the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, and the New and Renewable Energy Authority. International participants included representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Commission, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, the German Agency for Development, and the French Development Agency, as well as various private sector entities.
In her opening address, Minister Al-Mashat emphasized the critical role of green hydrogen in addressing climate change and decarbonizing sectors such as heavy industry, maritime transport, and aviation. She highlighted its potential not only as a fuel of the future but as a cornerstone of a low-carbon economy, promoting energy security and supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Al-Mashat also positioned green hydrogen as a key opportunity for Egypt to take a leadership role in sustainable energy. She referenced the Green Hydrogen Incentives Law No. 2 of 2024, which establishes a supportive regulatory framework designed to attract investment and foster technological innovation. Egypt has set an ambitious goal to capture 8% of the global hydrogen market by 2040.
The Minister outlined Egypt’s competitive advantages in green hydrogen production, including abundant solar and wind resources, robust infrastructure (such as ports, pipelines, and transport networks), and a strategic geographical location that positions the country as a hub for exporting hydrogen to regional and international markets.
International cooperation was also a central theme of Al-Mashat’s address. She highlighted the partnership with the European Union, citing the Memorandum of Understanding signed at COP27 on renewable hydrogen as a demonstration of mutual commitment to clean energy and sustainable development.
Concluding her remarks, Al-Mashat stated that the workshop is a significant step towards building a long-term strategic partnership in the green hydrogen sector. The insights gained from the discussions will inform the upcoming EU-Egypt Green Hydrogen Investment Forum, which will play a pivotal role in shaping the sector’s growth strategies. While she acknowledged the challenges ahead, including refining legislative frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and developing essential infrastructure, she remained optimistic about Egypt’s potential to lead the green hydrogen charge through enhanced international collaborations and technology transfer.
