Cotonou, October 04, 2023 – From October 04 to 06, the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are holding a workshop on the potential and exploitation of green hydrogen in the energy, trade and industry sectors, with the support of Benin’s Ministries of Energy and Environment, Housing and Urban Planning.
The aim of the meeting is to support sustainable and economic development in Africa through a viable hydrogen economy, reducing carbon emissions and climate impact. Cooperation between BOAD and the CTCN aims to contribute to the acceleration of low-carbon economic growth on the continent, through knowledge sharing, capacity building and resource mobilization, for the deployment of green hydrogen technologies and services.
Regarded as the fuel of the future, hydrogen is still produced from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, etc.) on the continent. Using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal or hydroelectric power, we produce “green” hydrogen, a major energy carrier for sustainable energy systems, in line with the Global Climate Agenda.
In this respect, the African continent is stepping up its efforts to produce this new energy source, which could reach 50 million tonnes in annual production by 2035, according to a joint report by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the International Solar Alliance and the African Union. The analysis also highlights the benefits of harnessing solar energy to create green hydrogen and low-carbon economic growth on the continent, with an estimated 40% carbon reduction.
At the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the potential of green hydrogen in the UEMOA region, for the benefit of the energy, trade and industry sectors; they will also have had the opportunity to exchange and share knowledge on current and future hydrogen technology in the energy, trade and industry sectors.
Finally, activities to reinforce existing national hydrogen policies will be clearly identified.
About West African Development Bank
The Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD) is the joint development finance institution of the countries of the West African Monetary Union (WAMU). According to Article 2 of its Articles of Association, the BOAD’s purpose is to “promote the balanced development of member states and achieve economic integration in West Africa” by financing priority development projects. It is accredited with the three climate finance mechanisms (GEF, AF, GCF). Since 2009, BOAD has been an observer at the UNFCCC, taking an active part in discussions on the construction of an international climate finance architecture. Since January 2013, it has been home to the first Regional Collaboration Center (CRC) on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), whose aim is to provide direct support to governments, NGOs and the private sector in identifying and developing CDM projects. It is an active member of the International Development Finance Club (IDFC), which brings together 26 national, regional and bilateral development banks from around the world.
About CTCN (Climate Technology Centre and Network) :
The CTCN was created by a decision of COP16 (16th Conference of the Parties) of the UNFCCC to promote the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies to developing countries, to support their efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change. BOAD became a member of the CTCN on November 1, 2019 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions The CTCN has a network of members who form a broad community of climate technology stakeholders – from academia, the finance sector, non-governmental organizations, the private and public sectors and research centers, among others. In addition, over 150 designated national entities (CTCN national contact points selected by countries) are involved.
For further information
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