Kenya is uniquely positioned among emerging economies to harness GH2 thanks to its 90 percent renewable energy share and 84 percent electrification rate, with universal access targeted by 2030. Its access to freshwater and seawater, with 96.5 percent of the water resources being seawater, offers scalable hydrogen production via electrolysis without stressing freshwater supplies.
The added cost of seawater treatment is minimal (0.077 kWh/kg) compared to the 50–55 kWh/kg energy demand for electrolysis, making GH2 economically viable at current global prices of $2.7 to $8.8 per kg.
Several African countries namely Namibia, Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco, and South Africa are already embracing GH2, with Namibia set to become a leading exporter due to its 98.5 percent renewable electricity share, which is similar to Kenya’s energy profile creating an opportunity for Kenya to benchmark.
Backed by its abundant renewable energy base, commitment to the sustainable development goals, supportive policies, growing population driving demand for green fertiliser and expanding industries increasing hydrogen demand, Kenya is well placed to lead in green hydrogen innovation. Delaying this adoption will hinder progress on climate and economic goals.
GH2 can help in decarbonising Kenya’s transport and industrial sectors, which account for 62.2 percent and 18.4 percent, respectively of energy related emissions. These sectors rely heavily on fossil fuels due to the high cost of renewable alternatives, making GH2 a viable substitute for reducing emissions.
Green hydrogen can help Kenya decarbonise hard-to-electrify sectors like heavy industry and transport.
By utilising renewable energy resources and coordinating government, industry, and academia efforts, Kenya can cut emissions, create jobs, and emerge as a regional clean energy leader. Success depends on supportive policies, partnerships, and strategic research and development investments.
Additionally, GH2 could transform the chemical industry and refineries, which globally contribute four percent of carbon emissions. By producing hydrogen domestically using renewable sources, Kenya could cut petroleum imports, conserve foreign currency, and enhance energy sovereignty.
While GH2 presents opportunities, it's important to understand its energy economics.
As an energy negative carrier, Hydrogen requires more energy to produce than it delivers hence ranks low in the energy merit order. It is used when cheaper sources like wind or solar are unavailable. This raises the questions about effective sustainable use of GH2 and its latent benefits.
While a green hydrogen policy exists in Kenya, it lacks quantitative models for optimization and planning, and technical capacity remains a challenge, raising doubts about its ability to effectively support the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Institutional governance is also a problem. Lack of inter agency collaboration and streamlined approval further delays project implementation.
Addressing these gaps through targeted policy interventions is important for mobilizing financial flows into Kenya’s green hydrogen sector.
Despite these challenges, GH2 holds strategic value. It can stabilize the grid during periods of low renewable generation, during periods of low renewable energy generation, such as nighttime when solar panels are inactive or during low wind periods, hydrogen can serve as a backup integrated into energy efficient building systems.
Institutions like Strathmore University and industries can combine hydrogen fuel cells with optimized building designs to ensure clean, stable energy supply and operational savings.
Machines and industrial processes that cannot be powered by stored hydrogen, ensuring continuous energy supply and grid reliability, hence increasing production. Electrolysis also produces medical grade oxygen for healthcare facilities.
Hydrogen can also be used to manufacture ammonia for fertilizers for Kenya's agriculture sector which contributes 33 percent of GDP, boosting production and exports. Ammonia also serves as a refrigerant, water purifier, and raw material for plastics, explosives, textiles, pesticides, dyes, and other chemicals.
To realize these opportunities, Kenya is promoting green hydrogen through Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Dongo Kundu, Konza, and Naivasha, along with over 15 private SEZs that offer tax breaks, incentives, and lower electricity tariffs.
The country is also fostering public-private partnerships like the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance and collaborating internationally with the EU and Australia.
Institutions such as Strathmore University and organizations like GIZ are supporting Research and Development, assessing renewable resources, economic viability, and export potential to align with sustainable development goals.
Prof Da Silva is Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, at Strathmore University and Director of the Strathmore Energy Research Centre. Ms Namudu is a final year student at the University of Nairobi
