Hydrogen as a Clean Energy Vector: Technologies, Challenges, and Prospects in Developing Economies

The global transition toward low-carbon energy systems has intensified interest in hydrogen as a clean and versatile energy vector. Hydrogen offers significant potential for decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, including heavy industry, transportation, and large scale energy storage. For developing economies, hydrogen presents both opportunities for sustainable growth and challenges related to cost, infrastructure, and policy frameworks. This review examines hydrogen energy technologies with a focus on their applicability in developing regions. Key hydrogen production pathways, including grey, blue, and green hydrogen, are discussedalongside storage, transportation, and utilization technologies such as fuel cells and industrial hydrogen applications. The paper further analyzes the major technical, economic, and institutional barriers limiting hydrogen deployment in developing economies, including high capital investment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited technical capacity. Regional perspectives and emerging initiatives are highlighted to illustrate current progress and lessons learned. Finally, future prospects and strategic recommendations are presented, emphasizing the role of renewable based green hydrogen in supporting energy security, industrial decarbonization, and sustainable development in developing countries.