The recently concluded South African Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS) in November 2022, attracted well over 500 delegates – from South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Namibia, as well as international representatives from Germany, the Netherlands, the European Union, among others. The Summit which provided a platform to showcase South Africa’s ambition towards becoming a large scale, low cost, world class green hydrogen production hub and total value chain investment destination, was officially launched by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
What was commendable to observe was the representation of women in positions of power and influence including female ministers, company executives as well as senior representatives from prestigious international organisations presenting as key speakers and contributing to the various technical panel discussions. Among them were Ms. Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and Ms. Maria Show-Barragan, the Director of Lending in Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, Asia and Latin-America, at the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The deliberate involvement of women in influential positions at this prestigious event, was a noteworthy statement helping to lay the foundation for the shifting towards the equitable participation of women in the promising green hydrogen economy – and further away from the historical narrative of the under-representation of women in the energy and renewables sectors globally.
The Women’s Breakfast Side Event to the SAGHS
Over 100 female delegates of the SAGHS convened at a breakfast side event for women in green hydrogen and women in energy, on the final day of the Summit. The breakfast was organised by the Presidency, in partnership with GIZ South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini under the banner of the Women in Green Hydrogen (WiGH) among other partners. Ms. Noxolo Kiviet – South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, made the opening remarks, following a brief networking session to facilitate business contact exchange among the women. This was followed by an engaging panel discussion in which six female speakers tackled key questions: Gender dimensions of Green hydrogen- specifically looking at ‘Women securing their place in South Africa’s green hydrogen economy for the prosperity of all”. We welcomed as panellists:
- Priscilla Mabelane, Executive Vice President: Energy Business, SASOL
- Maria Show-Barragan, Director of Lending in Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, Asia and Latin-America, IEB Global
- Dr Phindilile Masangane, CEO, Petroleum Agency SA
- Fahmida Smith, Principal Market Development, Anglo American
- Prof Anicia Peters, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Development & Associate Professor, University of Namibia
- Makoma Lekalakala, Director Earth Life Africa
Foreseeing a Forum for Women in Green Hydrogen in Africa
The panellists highlighted important insights for women to tap into the emerging opportunities in the green hydrogen economy – including partnering opportunities between South Africa and Namibia, among others. In addition to a call made by the speakers to women to proactively expand their knowledge of the emerging sector to engage competently and confidently in important discussions, women discussed the need for establishing a green hydrogen forum for women, with the vision to foster and promote the participation of women in the sector in South Africa and beyond our borders.
We look forward to seeing the next steps where women will lead the founding of this women’s forum on green hydrogen, initiated by South African women – with the possibility of acquiring support from already existing and leading women networks such as the Women in Green Hydrogen (WiGH) global network and its members.