NATIONAL NEWS - South Africa and Japan have agreed in principle to explore key areas of cooperation to advance their existing partnership on hydrogen and ammonia, with a focus on technology, skills development, innovation and economic growth.
The agreement follows a meeting between Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina and Japan’s Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Komori Takuo, held on the sidelines of the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, last week.
The discussions build on a memorandum of cooperation on hydrogen and ammonia signed between the two countries in 2023.
According to the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the meeting reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in science, technology and innovation as hydrogen and ammonia become increasingly important in the global transition towards lower-carbon economies.
Focus on hydrogen technologies
The two countries agreed to explore the development and application of relevant technologies, including the production, distribution and storage of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia.
The collaboration could also help strengthen South Africa’s position in the emerging hydrogen economy while supporting innovation and industrial development.
Human capital development was identified as another strategic priority, with plans to strengthen skills and capacity across the hydrogen value chain.
This includes potential support for Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges, Universities of Technology, historically disadvantaged institutions and research-performing organisations.
Building skills for the hydrogen economy
Both South Africa and Japan highlighted the importance of reskilling and upskilling the current and future workforce to ensure more people can participate meaningfully in the growing hydrogen economy.
The two countries also underscored the role of stronger public-private partnerships and greater private sector involvement in developing hydrogen and ammonia projects.
Welcoming the outcome of the discussions, Gina said the engagement marked an important step towards turning bilateral commitments into practical programmes that could support innovation, industrial development and economic growth.
“South Africa values its enduring partnership with Japan and welcomes the progress made in identifying concrete areas of cooperation in hydrogen and ammonia,” she said.
“Through collaboration in research, innovation, skills development and technology deployment, our two countries can contribute meaningfully to a sustainable and inclusive energy transition.”
Strengthening bilateral partnerships
During her visit, Gina also met with Terazawa Tatsuya, President of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, to discuss ongoing cooperation under the 2023 memorandum.
She reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with both Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, while indicating the country’s readiness to further develop a programme of action to implement the bilateral agreements.
The discussions signal a further step in South Africa’s efforts to develop its hydrogen economy while strengthening international partnerships that could support new technologies, skills development and future investment. - SAnews.gov.za
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