Green hydrogen in Angola: a strategic platform for industrialisation and economic sovereignty

The global energy transition has profoundly reshaped the world’s geoeconomic landscape, driven by climate regulation, geopolitical pressures, and increasing industrial competitiveness requirements. Green hydrogen is emerging as a central energy vector, with the potential to account for up to 22 percent of final global energy consumption by 2050. Angola is in a unique strategic position to harness this transformation, due to its abundant low-cost renewable energy potential, critical mineral resources, Atlantic location, and the opportunity to develop a new industrial base. This article analyses the structural role of green hydrogen in Angola’s industrialisation, examines the country’s competitive factors, describes priority projects currently under development, and discusses the expected economic impacts. Based on the literature review and strategic assessment, green hydrogen can become the core of a modern industrial policy capable of driving economic growth, strengthening value chains, creating skilled jobs, and consolidating national economic sovereignty. It can thus be concluded that Angola possesses the objective conditions to establish itself as an African and Atlantic leader in the energy transition, provided a robust regulatory framework and targeted industrial policies are implemented swiftly.