China, Nigeria Partner On $7.9bn Green Hydrogen Project

A key green hydrogen project with a development value of about $7.9 billion is being executed in Akwa Ibom State with backing from China.

Representatives from China and Nigeria agreed to execute the project to be located within the Liberty Free Trade Zero (LFTZ) at Atabrikang in the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. The agreement was signed in Uyo, Nigeria, between the federal government, APPL Hydrogen Limited (AHL) and China’s LONGi Green Energy Technology.

The chief visionary officer of AHL, Idara Ekpo, revealed that the project will potentially produce 1.2 million tonnes of green hydrogen-based methanol per year for export, in addition to medical oxygen and food-grade CO2.

The Nigerian minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, claimed the initiative represents a “significant step” in the nation’s decarbonisation journey.

The managing director of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority, Bamange Usman Jada, added that, “the project will diversify Nigeria’s economy, encourage export, and help solve the issue of foreign exchange. It will lead to technology transfer, create massive employment for our people, and it is environmentally friendly and sustainable.”

Last month, the Energy Industries Council (EIC) highlighted that, despite there being around 41 hydrogen projects set to enter development in Africa over the next five years, not one has reached a final investment decision (FID) yet.

EIC’s Africa OPEX Report underlined reliable offtake agreements, a comprehensive regulatory framework and resilient infrastructure as significant hurdles.