Namibian green hydrogen development company Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with import-export company Itochu Corporation to explore areas for potential collaboration between them to drive forward sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, and only, fully vertically-integrated green hydrogen project. 

Hyphen and Itochu, one of Japan’s largest general trading and investment companies, will now enter into talks on areas of potential collaboration on this landmark multibillion-dollar green hydrogen project.  

The agreement was signed on August 8 by Itochu Africa Bloc CEO Shinya Ishizuka and Hyphen CEO Marco Raffinetti.

Signature of the agreement took place at a ceremony witnessed by Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi and Namibia Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo. 

“Hyphen expects Japan to emerge as one of the key demand centres for green ammonia globally and we are delighted to have the opportunity to explore areas for collaboration with Itochu to unlock supply into this critical market,” says Raffinetti.  

“I firmly believe that Namibia has the potential to become a long-term strategic partner to Japan for the supply of green hydrogen well beyond the scale of Hyphen’s project, given Namibia’s unique competitive advantages in green hydrogen production.

“This is combined with the support of the government of Namibia that is progressively advancing the development of its green hydrogen economy,” he enthuses.  

“We are pleased that Itochu, a leading general trading and investment house in Japan, is contributing to a low-carbon society together with Hyphen,” adds Ishizuka.

“With this collaborative development of green ammonia in Namibia, Itochu will aim to create a range of ammonia value chains in various existing industrial applications, as well as for future energy use, and will support our clients and industries in achieving low carbonisation goals focusing on Japan, Asia and its surrounding markets.

“Itochu will initiate and enhance our industrial portfolio in the energy sector while achieving our commitments towards decarbonisation activities in various prospective industries,” he says.