EACREEE and GIZ Partner to Promote Green Hydrogen in Eastern Africa

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding expressing their mutual intent to explore collaboration in promoting green hydrogen and its derivatives in the Eastern Africa region.

The MoU, signed by Mr. Bodo Immink, GIZ Kenya Country Director, and Canon Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza, Executive Director of EACREEE, outlines a shared vision to foster an enabling environment for green hydrogen development in the region. In his remarks, Canon Goddy reiterated that the partnership paves the way for Eastern Africa to take the lead in the global green hydrogen transition.

“This collaboration will unlock knowledge, build technical capacity, and create enabling conditions for green hydrogen uptake in line with our region’s sustainability aspirations.”

Scope of Collaboration

GIZ and EACREEE intend to explore joint efforts in the following areas:

• Concluding a baseline study on green hydrogen in East Africa, aimed at assessing the current state of development, identifying regional potential, analysing policies and regulatory frameworks, and exploring trade opportunities and other opportunities related to green hydrogen in the region.
• Developing and sharing regional policy briefs to guide the development of national and regional green hydrogen frameworks;
• Building capacities of institutions and individuals through training sessions, site visits, and the development of learning resources

While addressing the congregation, Mr. Bodo Immink stated that the MoU aims to foster partnerships, encourage dialogue, and build capacity to help shape a greener future for the region.” 

This was executed during the Eastern Africa Green Hydrogen Symposium held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 14-15 May 2025. The inaugural event was hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Germany in cooperation with EACREEE and implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and GIZ Kenya. The Symposium featured several strategic sessions, including a pre-event day on 13^th May, Women in Green Hydrogen Cocktail and high-level panel discussions, all aiming to accelerate the development of green hydrogen across Eastern Africa. The high–level panel session was composed of representatives from various EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretariat, and the German Government. Key discussions focused on exchanging best practices in policy and regulation, investment opportunities and infrastructure development. The Symposium was officially launched by Cabinet Secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Hon. J. Opiyo Wandayi and was attended by over 250+key stakeholders from across the region and beyond.

The pre-event day, jointly organised by EACREEE and GIZ-Kenya, brought together stakeholders from across the East African Community and beyond. Participants included representatives from public institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, academia, and key players within the green hydrogen ecosystem. The session aimed to present and validate the preliminary findings of a pioneering Baseline Study on Green Hydrogen in Eastern Africa, which covers the EAC Partner States, Ethiopia and Seychelles. By actively engaging regional stakeholders, the session provided a platform to critically assess, enhance, and refine the study's initial outcomes based on local insights and national experiences.

The Government of Germany supports this landmark study through GIZ Kenya, which GFA Consulting is implementing in collaboration with EACREEE. It represents a significant milestone in assessing the region’s current status and potential within the green hydrogen and Power-to-X value chains.