Sub-Saharan Africa, home to one of the fastest-growing populations in the world, is experiencing rapid urbanization and the emergence of a growing middle class. Despite these developments, current agricultural production falls short of meeting the projected food demand, hindered by lack of access to modern energy, among other factors. Improving the productivity of smallholder farmers and expanding local crop processing are vital strategies to meet this increasing demand for food and to enhance the lives and livelihoods of African farmers. Supplying electricity for irrigation and crop processing can stimulate entrepreneurship, foster local wealth creation, and support the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while improving the cost-effectiveness of clean energy plans in rural areas. In this article, we argue that Africa's energy planning should focus on accelerating economic growth by providing clean and modern energy solutions that extend beyond basic household services. This includes integrating energy needs for small-scale irrigation and crop processing into household energy planning. Through various example projects, we demonstrate that the benefits of productive energy uses extend beyond mechanizing agriculture and crop processing. These initiatives enhance local economic development by integrating electricity into household business operations, such as milling and agro-processing, which create jobs and diversify income. They also enhance communication and provide critical market information, empowering rural communities. By prioritizing productive energy uses, these projects increase electricity consumption, improving the financial sustainability of electrification efforts.

Africa's abundant renewable energy resources and vast land areas present an unprecedented opportunity for the development of a green hydrogen economy. Several countries in Africa have already initiated ambitious projects to establish green hydrogen economies, mainly targeting export markets in Europe. This perspective article explores the potential of green hydrogen in Africa and examines the challenges and risks associated with green hydrogen development on the continent. We believe that the role of hydrogen in the transformation of Africa should go beyond energy export and aim to harness its competitive advantage for various industries that require low-cost green hydrogen. We argue that prevailing extractive and geopolitical realities pose a major barrier in Africa’s path towards harnessing the full potential of green hydrogen for its development. To break this cycle, Africa must demand equitable partnerships, invest in technology transfer, and foster collaboration to drive a transformative green hydrogen revolution that is aligned with Agenda 2063s vision for a self-empowered and sustainable Africa.

Key policy insights:

- Green-hydrogen has the potential to provide affordable energy to transport and industry, accelerating sustainable development in Africa.

- The current resource development practice in Africa will constrain the continent’s ability to chart an independent course towards a sustainable green hydrogen economy.

- There is a need for clear regulation, incentives, and financial support for the adoption of green hydrogen technology.

- It is important that national governments create local demand which can stimulate new and sustainable jobs, and bilateral and regional collaborations to build and operate hydrogen infrastructure.

- Despite the high technical potential, Africa’s role in the global hydrogen market is hindered by limitation in access to finance, technology, infrastructure, and policy stability.

- Africa must assert itself on the global stage, demanding equitable partnerships and investments that foster technological transfer and knowledge sharing that benefit wider socio-economic development.