IEA releases 2026 Global Hydrogen Review, spotlighting energy security and Africa's emerging role - H2 Bulletin
The International Energy Agency has published the sixth edition of its annual Global Hydrogen Review, its most comprehensive assessment yet of where the low-emissions hydrogen sector stands and what is needed to sustain momentum through to 2030. The conflict in the Middle East is impacting global supplies of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as fertilisers, …
The International Energy Agency has published the sixth edition of its annual Global Hydrogen Review, its most comprehensive assessment yet of where the low-emissions hydrogen sector stands and what is needed to sustain momentum through to 2030. The conflict in the Middle East is impacting global supplies of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as fertilisers, exposing vulnerabilities in supply chains. As energy security concerns move higher up the policy agenda, this year’s report considers the potential contributions of low-emissions hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives to enhancing energy security. It takes stock of deployment to date to assess the level of hydrogen uptake achievable by 2030, and includes novel analysis on what constitutes an acceptable cost for low-emissions hydrogen across multiple applications and regions. The report concludes with a special focus chapter exploring challenges and opportunities for the development of new supply chains for low-emissions hydrogen-based products in Africa, and is published alongside updates to the Hydrogen Production and Infrastructure Projects Database and the online Hydrogen Tracker. The backdrop to the report is one of cautious recalibration. Earlier IEA data had shown that global investment in low-emissions hydrogen reached $8 billion in 2025, an 80% increase from a year earlier, and that electrolyser capacity is poised for a fivefold increase by 2030 — despite recent project delays and market consolidation. However, binding offtake agreements remain scarce, and the report’s focus on demand-side policy signals a growing emphasis on creating the commercial certainty that investors and developers require before committing capital. Africa’s inclusion as a dedicated chapter reflects mounting institutional confidence that the continent’s exceptional renewable energy endowment can be converted into a viablegreen hydrogenexport position, provided that financing access and infrastructure gaps are addressed. Back to top button