Deputy Minister Gina advances South Africa's position on hydrogen and other sustainable energy priorities at world expo in Japan

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, today outlined South Africa's clean energy priorities at the Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels and the 7th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting in Japan.

Both meetings were hosted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as part of Expo 2025 Osaka, which has brought people and innovations from around the world together in an effort to address global challenges.

The Deputy Minister set out South Africa's priorities for hydrogen demand creation, sustainable fuels and inclusive industrialisation.

The Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels aims to foster global momentum towards creating and using sustainable fuels, including biofuels and e-fuels. Japan launched this meeting in collaboration with Brazil in 2024 as part of their Initiative for Sustainable Fuels and Mobility and in preparation for COP 30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The 7th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting aims to accelerate the global transition to a hydrogen society by strengthening international cooperation, sharing best practices, and tackling barriers to hydrogen production and use across various sectors.

South Africa, through the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and partners in the national system of innovation, is implementing comprehensive policies on hydrogen, expanding its decarbonisation strategy to include biofuels and carbon capture, use and storage.

The country is actively fostering domestic demand through initiatives such as the Platinum Valley Initiative and the registration of Strategic Integrated Projects. These efforts aim to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, such as steel, chemicals and cement, as well as to support hydrogen mobility in mining and transportation, and to introduce hydrogen into the power sector.

Deputy Minister Gina stressed South Africa's progress and its determination to build momentum alongside international partners.

"Sustainable fuels play a critical role in advancing our decarbonisation efforts by providing fuels that can power our industries, transport systems and economies, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in support of our climate change commitments," said the Deputy Minister.

She highlighted national measures such as the 2019 South African Biofuels Regulatory Framework, regulations of blending biofuels with fossil fuels, feedstock protocols, and support mechanisms for manufacturers. She also referred to the CoalCO2-X Flagship Programme, which pilots carbon capture and use technologies to advance a low-carbon pathway, and incentives introduced under the Taxation Laws Amendment Act of 2024 to encourage the local manufacturing of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Deputy Minister Gina welcomed the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting's theme "Demand Creation".

"While supply chains for hydrogen and its derivatives are advancing at remarkable speed, their long-term success will depend on our collective ability to generate and sustain demand," she said. "If we get this right, demand creation will not only sustain the hydrogen economy but make it a true driver of a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition."

South Africa's participation in these ministerial meetings is designed to deepen partnerships with international industry and research institutions. Japan's Hydrogen Basic Strategy and its Initiative for Sustainable Fuels and Mobility, which promote secure global supply chains and wider uptake of biofuels, e-fuels and e-methane for aviation and shipping, complement South Africa's ambitions.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to ensuring that the transition is both global and people-centred.

"The creation of a sustainable fuel future must incorporate just, inclusive and transformative principles. Training, reskilling and knowledge transfer will ensure that the transition creates jobs, builds industries, and uplifts communities."

While in Japan, the Deputy Minister Gina will engage with Japanese stakeholders (including government representatives, industry leaders such as Toyota and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and academia, including Kyoto University and Osaka University) to explore collaboration across hydrogen market development, certification, infrastructure readiness, nanotechnology, carbon recycling and space science.

South Africa's active participation in the ministerial meetings builds on its strategic partnership with Japan, a country that has invested significantly in hydrogen technologies and supply chains.

The meetings also provide a platform to deepen bilateral cooperation on hydrogen market development, secure supply chains, and the adoption of sustainable fuels in aviation and shipping.

Issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

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