Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) and Nile University launch the GH2 International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Cairo, Egypt

^{30 June 2024} 

CAIRO – At the Egypt-EU Investment Conference in Cairo today, the Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) and Nile University launched the GH2 International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence “GH2 Cairo Centre” to provide global leadership and build the talent needed to deploy sustainable large scale green hydrogen projects particularly in developing and emerging economies.

Through decree, Egypt’s National Green Hydrogen Council approved the establishment of the GH2 Cairo Centre in February 2024.

The GH2 Cairo Centre is based at Nile University in Cairo and will focus on building capacity and providing technical assistance on green hydrogen within Egypt, across Africa and globally. Egypt is a natural location for the centre as the country aims to become a leading green hydrogen producer and exporter by 2030, leveraging over 30 framework agreements and multiple MOUs signed with international partners.

A key objective of the GH2 Cairo Centre is to accelerate the financing of large-scale renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, with initiatives to mobilise and derisk both public and private sector investments.

The Centre will facilitate regional collaboration through the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA) which brings together ten African governments with ambitious green hydrogen plans. The GH2 Cairo Centre will serve as the AGHA Secretariat, also promoting cooperation with key export markets including the European Union and Asia.

An initial activity taking place in August 2024 is the Green Hydrogen Policy Accelerator Training course jointly organised with the International Solar Alliance under its Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre platform, underscoring the GH2 Cairo Centre’s commitment to education and stakeholder engagement.

The Centre will leverage partnerships with civil society, academia, research institutions, and think tanks, as well as GH2 members and partners, to support its growth and mission.

As part of its workplan with an initial budget of USD 4 million, the GH2 Cairo Centre will recruit core staff, form an advisory group “the GH2 Cairo Centre Board”, and have an initial focus on strong standards and certification in the green hydrogen sector as well as a comprehensive green hydrogen financing programme.

H.E Mohamed Shaker, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy said: “The government welcomes the establishment of the International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, the GH2 Cairo Centre. The rapid expansion of renewable energy including green hydrogen requires collaboration on policy, skills and finance. Bringing local economic development will be at the heart of the Centre’s activities.”

Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt said: “The GH2 International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Cairo can be the spider in the knowledge web, connecting experts, policymakers, industry leaders and financial institutions globally to advance the critical need to deploy green hydrogen and provide affordable, efficient and sustainable energy solutions.”

Sharan Burrow, GH2 Interim Chair and former general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation said: “This new partnership between GH2 and Nile University to launch the International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Cairo is extremely welcome news. The GH2 Cairo Centre will ensure that the skills and strategies are there for green hydrogen to flourish as part of a just transition in Egypt and the wider region.”

Dr. Andrew Forrest, Executive Chairman, Fortescue said: “I am delighted that the Green Hydrogen Organisation and Nile University are creating this knowledge hub in Cairo. The GH2 Cairo Centre will position Egypt at the forefront of the global green hydrogen economy, fostering innovation and international cooperation to assist the deployment of sustainable large scale green hydrogen projects particularly in developing and emerging economies.”

Dr. Wael Akl, President, Nile University said: “The establishment of GH2 International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence at Nile University is not only a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainable development but also a strategic step towards positioning Nile University as a hub for cutting-edge research in renewable energy solutions. Together, we aim to make significant strides towards a greener future building on GH2 expertise and Nile University’s research-base capacity and its national and regional outreach and impact in sustainable development arena, while integrating green hydrogen as an emerging and critical component in the research and development portfolio in Africa and the region.”

Jonas Moberg, CEO, Green Hydrogen Organisation said: “Today’s launch of the GH2 International Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Cairo is a major milestone towards achieving the renewable energy and green hydrogen ambitions of Egypt, the African continent and beyond.”

About the Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2)

The Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) is a global non-profit foundation incorporated in Switzerland. GH2 was established in 2021 to dramatically accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen and to differentiate green hydrogen from production pathways based on fossil fuels. Green hydrogen made from renewables is the most sustainable hydrogen production pathway for sectors that need it to urgently to reduce their climate impact including steel, chemicals, fertilizers, shipping and aviation. GH2 is a multistakeholder organisation with a wide range of corporate members, government and civil society partners. In addition to its office in Geneva, GH2 has a presence in Beijing, Chennai, Jakarta, London, Nairobi, Oslo and Perth. Visit www.gh2.org for more information.

About Nile University

Nile University is a leading non-profit, national university in Egypt, renowned for its commitment to excellence in education, research and innovation in science, engineering, and technology. With its capacity in innovation, management of technology, the university is dedicated to contributing to Egypt's sustainable development at large creating a regional hub progressing SDGs through education, research, innovation and community engagement.

ENDS