SCZONE and UNIDO Launch National Clean Hydrogen Program to Transform Egypt into Regional Green Energy Hub

The General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization have announced the launch of Egypt’s National Clean Hydrogen Program marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward a competitive low-carbon economy anchored by green hydrogen production and export.

The comprehensive initiative is designed to advance Egypt’s readiness for green hydrogen investments through multiple strategic activities including conducting pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for priority projects providing technical advisory for policy development and strengthening institutional capacities. A key component includes establishing a Green Hydrogen Center of Excellence at the SCZONE headquarters in Sokhna to serve as a hub for technical innovation and sector governance.

This program forms part of the broader Global Clean Hydrogen Program implemented by UNIDO and funded by the Global Environment Facility covering 10 nations with Egypt positioned as a pivotal regional leader in sustainable energy transition. A steering committee has been established comprising representatives from SCZONE UNIDO the Ministry of Environment as the national focal point for the Global Environment Facility the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Industry.

Egypt is rapidly emerging as a global frontrunner in green hydrogen development boasting an 83 billion dollar project pipeline. The sector has attracted over 215 billion dollars in Foreign Direct Investment between 2021 and 2023 with more than 80% of these endeavors centered in SCZONE. Key industrial milestones include the November 2022 launch of Africa’s first integrated green hydrogen facility and the world’s first green ammonia shipment from SCZONE in November 2023.

The national strategy targets production of 5.8 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2040 aiming to capture up to 8% of the global market. SCZONE Chairman Walid Gamal El-Din described the initiative as a critical milestone in Egypt’s shift toward a green economy emphasizing the zone’s strategic geographic location existing infrastructure and growing energy partnerships.

The program coordinates with the National Council for Green Hydrogen to ensure effective institutional coordination and monitoring of program activities in line with national priorities. By leveraging its position along the historic Suez Canal trade route Egypt aims to broaden its revenue streams attract fresh foreign direct investment and potentially create up to one million new positions in logistics energy manufacturing and related services.

The initiative represents Egypt’s commitment to transforming from a traditional fossil fuel-dependent economy to a regional hub for production trade and export of green hydrogen positioning the country at the forefront of the global clean energy revolution.