The African Development Bank and four green hydrogen projects

The African Development Bank announced, at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit 2026 in Cape Town, four projects selected for reimbursable grants totalling USD 20 million: Project Ra (Egypt), Guelmim Green Hydrogen Valley (Morocco), Hyphen (Namibia) and Saldanha Hydrogen DRI (South Africa). The call drew 81 proposals from 18 countries and disbursement still depends on Board approval.

The press release that opened the call, on 8 April 2026, defines the instrument: pre-investment financing through SEFA for feasibility studies, engineering and transaction advisory, intended to move each project to a final investment decision.

Together the four represent an estimated USD 23 billion in investment, 20 GW of wind and solar, 7 GW of electrolysers and 2,950 MWh of batteries, according to the bank. The ratio between the two figures defines what the money is for: shortening the phase in which a project still has no sales contract and, without one, attracts no construction capital.

Egypt, Morocco and Namibia target marine and aviation fuels; South Africa, low-carbon iron. What this phase has to deliver is the long-term offtake, with volume, price and term signed. That contract is what unlocks the USD 23 billion.