Making green hydrogen work in Africa: Addressing the skills gap and employment prospects for youth and women

Universal access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy remains central to African economies’ strategy for economic growth and employment for women and youth. The global shift toward carbon reduction has positioned green hydrogen as a crucial renewable energy alternative on the path to net zero, due to its potential for reducing carbon in sectors such as heavy industry, buildings and transport. The demand for green hydrogen is projected to increase rapidly, reaching 10% of global energy demand by 2050.

Africa has vast renewable energy resources and is seen as a potential leader in green hydrogen production for domestic consumption, export and greening industry. One key barrier to realizing this potential is the mismatch of skills between those required by industry and the capability of local workforces. It will be vital to strengthen the capacity of the workforce and increase training for deploying green hydrogen across the continent. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can play a pivotal role in addressing the skills mismatch and preparing the African workforce for an emerging green hydrogen economy.

This project focuses on Namibia and South Africa, in an effort to rethink Africa's green hydrogen transition by grounding it in an inclusive, community-driven TVET system. Employing strategic foresight and social cartography methodologies, the project uses a bottom-up approach that prioritizes systemic change and greening education and training.

This project will contribute to the understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with the green hydrogen transition. It will strengthen local capacities to engage with and influence project frameworks and outcomes ahead of the expected scale-up of green hydrogen. It focuses on transforming TVET systems to equip youth and marginalized groups with the practical skills they need to participate in the green hydrogen economy, while supporting inclusivity in the workforce.