Johannesburg: Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, will represent South Africa at the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial (HEM) Meeting to be held in Japan on Thursday. The visit is aimed at advancing South Africa's energy transition agenda, strengthening the country's industrialisation agenda, and expanding international partnerships in science, technology, and innovation.
According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting aligns with South Africa's Just Energy Transition framework, Hydrogen Society Roadmap, and Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy. It also supports national objectives to diversify energy sources, stimulate inclusive economic growth, and position South Africa as a competitive producer and exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said in a statement on Monday.
The Ministry noted that the two countries share a significant strategic partnership in hydrogen research, innovation, and technology development. Cooperation includes programmes such as the Green Ammonia Synthesis Project, industry engagement through the Japan External Trade Organization, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and partnerships with leading Japanese universities and research organisations.
According to the Deputy Minister, South Africa's participation offers key opportunities to advance its domestic hydrogen development plans. Japan's ambition to establish a mature hydrogen society by 2030, supported by substantial investments in hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and utilisation technologies, presents significant opportunities for South Africa to leverage Japanese expertise, investment, and market access.
South Africa's participation in the HEM provides an important opportunity to position the country as a preferred green hydrogen partner, deepen bilateral cooperation with Japan, attract investment into South Africa's emerging hydrogen economy, and contribute to international dialogue on the development of sustainable and secure hydrogen markets, Gina said.
While in the Asian country, the Deputy Minister will attend high-level plenary discussions, ministerial roundtables, bilateral engagements, and participate in the H2 and FC EXPO. She will also visit Tohoku University to strengthen cooperation in postgraduate training, research mobility, and innovation, particularly to support the proposed South Africa-Japan doctoral programme. Additionally, she will meet with the President of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, Prof Hiroshi Okamoto, to advance collaboration on energy policy, hydrogen technologies, and the clean energy transition, as well as the President of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Dr Hitoshi Nakagama, to advance bilateral cooperation in health research and innovation, the Ministry said.