- German and Nigerian governments are in talks over green hydrogen development.
The German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office, financed by the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has hosted today, 26th May 2022, the First German-Nigerian Symposium on Green Hydrogen.
The Symposium took place in Abuja and was attended by distinguished members from the energy sector and high-level delegations from Nigeria and Germany.
In his welcome address, the Honourable Minister Abubakar ALIYU, Ministry of Power, expressed gratitude for the existing cooperation between Germany and Nigeria in the framework of the energy partnership. He looked forward to further cooperation, especially on renewable energy and hydrogen, sharing that “Nigeria is keen on exploring the possibilities that the nascent hydrogen economy could create for our energy transition, and we are very interested in establishing a fruitful dialogue with Germany on this topic”.
The Director-General for Climate Diplomacy, Economic Affairs and Technology, German Federal Foreign Office, Oliver RENTSCHLER, in his Goodwill Message stated – “The new chapter in our partnership will not only enhance the dialogue on green hydrogen, but will also intensify the economic relations and dialogue on the expansion of renewable energies between our countries”.
In her remarks, the Country Director, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Ms. Ina HOMMERS, emphasized the objective of the German – Nigerian Hydrogen Office: “We are delighted to welcome you to the first public event of the Hydrogen Office, which aims to support Nigeria in exploring the potentials of green hydrogen and consequently foster the sustainable transformation of the country’s industry and economy”.
Also present was H.E. Mohammed H. ABDULLAHI, Honourable Minister of Environment who reminded the audience that “Green Hydrogen, as a low carbon fuel, has been identified to play a major role in the energy transition towards decarbonization and reducing the speed of global warming and meeting global climate targets like the Paris Agreement.”
The launch was closed off by the Head of the German Nigerian Hydrogen office Ms. Gina LAGUNES in her closing statement shared that “To ensure future economic stability, Nigeria, as a traditional fossil fuel exporting country with existing oil and gas infrastructure and know-how, can use this trend as a momentum to transition towards sustainable energy”
She also shared the tasks of the Hydrogen Office which are facilitating the political dialogue, engaging all relevant stakeholders in the conversation, capacity building and cooperating with the private sector to empower companies to get involved in the new market for hydrogen and its derivatives.