Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The hydrogen market in Africa is poised for steady growth through 2035, and The Gambia has emerged as a surprising yet significant player, ranking as the continent’s second-largest hydrogen consumer and producer, despite its modest size and economy, according to the market intelligence platform IndexBox.
Driven by rising demand for alternative energy sources and industrial applications, Africa’s hydrogen consumption is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +1.9% in volume and +2.7% in value between 2024 and 2035.
By 2035, the African hydrogen market is expected to reach 19 million cubic meters in volume and a value of $5.6 million.
In 2024, hydrogen consumption across Africa stood at approximately 15 million cubic meters, with South Africa accounting for 67% of that total. The Gambia followed with 2.5 million cubic meters—representing an impressive 16.7% share—while Nigeria consumed 1.2 million cubic meters (8.2%).
Despite experiencing a modest annual consumption growth rate of +2.4% over the last decade, The Gambia’s per capita hydrogen consumption has soared to the highest on the continent at 931 cubic meters per 1,000 people—far outpacing the continental average of just 10 cubic meters.
The Gambia also ranks as Africa’s second-largest hydrogen producer after South Africa, maintaining parity between its production and consumption at 2.5 million cubic meters in 2024. South Africa, by contrast, produced 10 million cubic meters.
While production figures remained relatively flat across the continent, The Gambia has sustained its output, signaling resilience and local demand-driven utilization.
In terms of market value, however, The Gambia lags behind, with its hydrogen market value estimated below Nigeria’s $584,000 and South Africa’s $2.1 million in 2024. The Gambia’s hydrogen market value has slightly declined over the years, with an average annual decrease of -0.5% from 2013 to 2024.
This apparent disparity between volume and value suggests that hydrogen in The Gambia is being consumed primarily in industrial or state-supported sectors at lower margins, or without significant import markup, unlike in countries like Nigeria where import dependency raises costs.
Africa’s hydrogen trade remains modest. In 2024, the continent exported only 136,000 cubic meters—a steep 71.1% drop from the previous year.
South Africa, Tunisia, and Egypt led exports, while The Gambia did not register any export activity. With the right investments in hydrogen infrastructure, export potential could be an area for The Gambia to explore.
Notably, the report underscores that while production in Africa is largely domestic, demand is increasing—suggesting an opportunity for countries like The Gambia to develop hydrogen as a strategic sector in energy diversification and industrial innovation.
In 2023, The Gambia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, and H2 Gambia Limited – a subsidiary of HydroGenesis – inked an agreement on hydrogen exploration.
As the continent moves toward renewable and low-emission energy systems, hydrogen could play a central role.
The Gambia’s strong per capita consumption and stable production base place it in a unique position to shape regional energy dynamics—especially if linked with emerging green hydrogen technologies.
For The Gambia, this is both a moment of recognition and an opportunity. To fully capitalize on its strategic position, the country will need to encourage further investment in hydrogen infrastructure, explore export capacity and regional supply agreements, and ensure policies that balance industrial use with climate goals.
As Africa’s hydrogen market continues to mature, The Gambia’s current role could grow into a regional leadership position—if paired with the right mix of innovation, regulation, and diplomacy.
