Hydrogen push in Africa revives colonial exploitation fears
Europe’s aggressive expansion into Africa’s hydrogen market is drawing sharp criticism from development advocates who say the continent’s scramble for green energy repeats historical patterns of resource extraction that have long impoverished the Global South.
The European Union has signed at least 30 hydrogen agreements with African nations since 2020, promising investment in renewable energy infrastructure. But critics argue these deals prioritize European energy security over African development, with most of the hydrogen destined for export to European markets rather than powering local economies.
Energy Extraction Under a Green Guise
Morocco, Namibia, and Egypt have emerged as prime targets for European hydrogen ventures. Germany alone has committed €4 billion to international hydrogen partnerships, with a significant portion flowing to African projects. The country aims to import up to 70% of its future hydrogen needs.
Yet the terms of these agreements raise eyebrows. Many African partner countries lack basic electricity access for their own populations—Namibia’s rural electrification rate sits at just 34%—while European companies secure long-term export contracts for hydrogen produced using African sun and wind.
“We’re seeing the same dynamic that defined colonialism: European powers identifying resources they need and structuring relationships to guarantee cheap access,” said a representative from a Brussels-based development organization speaking on background. “The language has changed from minerals to molecules, but the power imbalance remains.”
Infrastructure Disparities Fuel Concerns
The infrastructure investments sound impressive on paper. But they’re narrowly focused on production and export facilities rather than building broader energy capacity that could serve local populations.
In Mauritania, proposed hydrogen facilities would require massive water resources in a country where 30% of the population lacks safe drinking water. And Egypt’s hydrogen deals involve dedicating renewable energy capacity to exports while the country still relies heavily on fossil fuels for domestic consumption.
A Different Path Forward?
Some argue that these partnerships could deliver mutual benefits if structured differently. African nations need capital and technology; Europe needs clean energy. The question isn’t whether to cooperate but how to ensure genuine partnership rather than exploitation.
So far, that balance hasn’t materialized. Most agreements lack provisions requiring technology transfer, local job creation beyond construction phases, or guaranteed energy access for host communities.
As climate pressures intensify and Europe races to meet its 2030 emissions targets, the hydrogen rush will likely accelerate. Whether it becomes a model for equitable cooperation or another chapter in resource exploitation depends on choices being made right now in Brussels, Berlin, and African capitals.
