The Kenyan government has formally launched its National Green Hydrogen Strategy, marking a decisive step towards positioning the country as a frontrunner in the next wave of clean energy innovation. The comprehensive roadmap, developed by the Ministry of Energy with technical and financial support from international development partners, aims to leverage Kenya’s abundant renewable energy resources—particularly its vast geothermal, wind, and solar capacity—to produce carbon-free hydrogen fuel. This strategic initiative is designed not only to decarbonize hard-to-abate domestic sectors like heavy industry and transportation but also to create a new export commodity, tapping into the burgeoning global market for green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as green ammonia.
The strategy outlines a phased approach, beginning with pilot projects to demonstrate feasibility and build technical capacity. Key initial focuses include installing electrolysis facilities powered by dedicated renewable energy plants in locations like the geothermal-rich Olkaria area and the wind-intensive Lake Turkana region. A central pillar of the plan involves creating a favorable investment environment to attract private capital for building the entire value chain, from production and storage to transportation. The government envisions green hydrogen playing a critical role in stabilizing the national grid by using excess renewable power during off-peak hours for electrolysis, thus solving a key challenge of intermittency while producing a valuable, storable energy carrier.
The long-term implications of this strategy could be transformative for Kenya’s economy and its climate leadership. By establishing a foothold in the green hydrogen market, Kenya aims to secure a competitive advantage in Africa and become a supplier to energy-hungry markets in Europe and Asia. The development of this new industry is also projected to generate thousands of high-skilled jobs and spur technological advancement. While significant challenges related to infrastructure investment, water resource management for electrolysis, and international market development remain, the launch of this strategy signals Kenya’s ambitious vision to not just be a consumer of the global energy transition, but a proactive and influential producer at its forefront.