IN CONVERSATION WITH MANDY MLILO ACTION CHIEF DIRECTOR:HYDROGEN & ENERGY
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– South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, has outlined the country’s clean energy priorities at the Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels and the 7th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting, held as part of Expo 2025 Osaka.
The meetings, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, brought together global innovators and leaders to address pressing energy and climate challenges. Deputy Minister Gina presented South Africa’s strategic focus on hydrogen demand creation, sustainable fuels, and inclusive industrialisation.
The Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels aims to accelerate the global uptake of sustainable fuels, including biofuels and e-fuels, building on an initiative launched by Japan and Brazil in 2024 to support COP30 preparations. Meanwhile, the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting seeks to strengthen international collaboration, share best practices, and overcome barriers to hydrogen production and use across industries.
Through the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa is implementing comprehensive policies on hydrogen, expanding decarbonisation strategies to incorporate biofuels and carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS). Domestic initiatives such as the Platinum Valley Initiative and registration of Strategic Integrated Projects aim to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors like steel, chemicals, and cement, while supporting hydrogen mobility in mining, transportation, and power generation.
Deputy Minister Gina emphasised the importance of sustainable fuels in South Africa’s energy transition:
➢ “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.”
She highlighted measures including the 2019 South African Biofuels Regulatory Framework, biofuel blending regulations, feedstock protocols, and support for local manufacturers. She also noted the CoalCO2-X Flagship Programme, piloting carbon capture and utilisation technologies, and incentives introduced under the Taxation Laws Amendment Act of 2024 to promote hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturing.
Focusing on the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting’s theme, “Demand Creation”, Deputy Minister Gina noted:
➢ “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. 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 aims to strengthen partnerships with international industry and research institutions, complementing Japan’s Hydrogen Basic Strategy and Initiative for Sustainable Fuels and Mobility, which promote secure global supply chains and broader uptake of biofuels, e-fuels, and e-methane in aviation and shipping.
Deputy Minister Gina reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a people-centred energy transition, stating:
➢ “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.”
During her visit, the Deputy Minister will engage with Japanese stakeholders—including government representatives, industry leaders like Toyota and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and academic institutions such as Kyoto University and Osaka University—to explore collaboration on hydrogen market development, certification, infrastructure, nanotechnology, carbon recycling, and space science.
South Africa’s active engagement at these ministerial meetings reinforces its strategic partnership with Japan and strengthens bilateral cooperation on hydrogen technologies
The meetings, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, brought together global innovators and leaders to address pressing energy and climate challenges. Deputy Minister Gina presented South Africa’s strategic focus on hydrogen demand creation, sustainable fuels, and inclusive industrialisation.
The Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels aims to accelerate the global uptake of sustainable fuels, including biofuels and e-fuels, building on an initiative launched by Japan and Brazil in 2024 to support COP30 preparations. Meanwhile, the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting seeks to strengthen international collaboration, share best practices, and overcome barriers to hydrogen production and use across industries.
Through the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa is implementing comprehensive policies on hydrogen, expanding decarbonisation strategies to incorporate biofuels and carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS). Domestic initiatives such as the Platinum Valley Initiative and registration of Strategic Integrated Projects aim to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors like steel, chemicals, and cement, while supporting hydrogen mobility in mining, transportation, and power generation.
Deputy Minister Gina emphasised the importance of sustainable fuels in South Africa’s energy transition:
➢ “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.”
She highlighted measures including the 2019 South African Biofuels Regulatory Framework, biofuel blending regulations, feedstock protocols, and support for local manufacturers. She also noted the CoalCO2-X Flagship Programme, piloting carbon capture and utilisation technologies, and incentives introduced under the Taxation Laws Amendment Act of 2024 to promote hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturing.
Focusing on the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting’s theme, “Demand Creation”, Deputy Minister Gina noted:
➢ “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. 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 aims to strengthen partnerships with international industry and research institutions, complementing Japan’s Hydrogen Basic Strategy and Initiative for Sustainable Fuels and Mobility, which promote secure global supply chains and broader uptake of biofuels, e-fuels, and e-methane in aviation and shipping.
Deputy Minister Gina reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a people-centred energy transition, stating:
➢ “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.”
During her visit, the Deputy Minister will engage with Japanese stakeholders—including government representatives, industry leaders like Toyota and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and academic institutions such as Kyoto University and Osaka University—to explore collaboration on hydrogen market development, certification, infrastructure, nanotechnology, carbon recycling, and space science.
South Africa’s active engagement at these ministerial meetings reinforces its strategic partnership with Japan and strengthens bilateral cooperation on hydrogen technologies
