Join us for the Roundtable Discussion “ “Green Hydrogen and Innovative Fertilizer Production: Towards a Win-Win Partnership in the EU & Africa”, co-hosted by the United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe and Future Cleantech Architects.
- When? 12 October 2026 14:00-15:30 (venue open from 13:30)
- Where? At the NRW representation to the EU (Rue Montoyer 47, 1000 Brussels)
- About the Event
Europe’s clean transitions depend on access to critical minerals, renewable energy capacity, and resilient supply chains. In light of this, how can Europe help shape the conditions and opportunities around those resources: will Europe shape the world it depends on, or will it be shaped by it?
The “Green Hydrogen and Innovative Fertilizer Production: Towards a Win-Win Partnership in the EU & Africa” roundtable discussion, convenes selected policy stakeholders in Brussels, in order to explore how to strategically position the EU within Africa’s context, and how green technologies — represented by hydrogen and innovative fertiliser production — can help achieve win-win solutions that support local development in Africa, advance the implementation of EU strategies, and contribute to just transitions toward climate neutrality.
“Decarbonization” and “just transition” are two interlinked objectives which the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international climate negotiations aim to advance together. Just transition, in line with the UN SDGs, refers to the idea that climate action should not leave anyone behind. With the adoption of the Belém Action Mechanism at COP30 in Brazil in November 2025, just transition is now formally embedded in the global climate agenda, urging Parties to ensure fair and inclusive approaches in their efforts toward climate neutrality.
Green hydrogen – hydrogen produced via renewable electricity – offers a pathway to replace high-emitting grey hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors, particularly fertiliser production. If managed carefully, it can also help bridge the gaps between climate mitigation efforts and sustainable development.
The African economy continues to rely on agriculture, and hence on fertilisers. Shifting fertiliser production from fossil-based hydrogen to green ammonia produced from green hydrogen, while adopting innovative fertiliser technologies powered by clean electricity, can not only contribute to reducing emissions but also support more sustainable agricultural systems. Emerging decentralised approaches to fertilizer production also offer promising opportunities to reduce reliance on hydrogen-based processes while strengthening agricultural development and food security.
The European Union (EU) has established policy frameworks including the European Green Deal (2019), the EU Hydrogen Strategy (2020), and REPowerEU (2022) to scale up the production, deployment, and future import of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, including through potential partnerships with African countries. The European Commission’s recently announced revision of the EU Hydrogen Strategy provides an opportunity to reflect on key technological and market developments since the strategy’s launch in 2020.
This roundtable discussion aims to address critical questions, including the following:
- At the international policy level, how can EU–Africa cooperation evolve in a way that satisfies the two key UN objectives of rapid decarbonization and just transition?
- At the regional level between the EU and Africa, how can green hydrogen projects and innovative fertiliser production be designed to support local development, not just international demand?
- What could Europe do to co-create and build new green industries in Africa? How can such a joint endeavor be mutually beneficial?
- Food security in Africa has global consequences, such as migration, peace, and conflict. How can ammonia production from green hydrogen contribute to food security, both in Africa and beyond?
- Programme
| 13:30 | Registration |
| 14:00 – 14:05 | Opening Dr. Peter Schniering, CEO, Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) |
| 14:05 – 14:10 | About UNU Prof. Dr. Shen Xiaomeng, UNU Vice-Rector in Europe & Director of UNU-EHS |
| 14:10 – 14:20 | Presentation by FCA “Europe’s role in catalyzing innovative fertiliser production” Dr. James Lazenby, Cleantech Analyst, FCA |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | Presentation by UNU-VIE: “Harnessing Green Hydrogen in Africa: Linking Energy, Ammonia, and Food Security” Dr. Ambe Emmanuel Cheo, Associate Academic Officer, UNU-VIE |
| 14:30 – 15:30 | Roundtable discussion Facilitator: Magnolia Tovar, Director Technologies & Impact, FCA |
| 15:30 | Closing Prof. Dr. Shen Xiaomeng, UNU Vice-Rector in Europe & Director of UNU-EHS |
- About the Organisers
The United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-VIE) and Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) are two international think tanks based in Europe, with expertise in climate and clean technologies in Africa.
UNU is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization headquartered in Japan. UNU-VIE is one of two UNU Vice-Rectorates, and the only one located in Europe. It supports the institutional development of UNU, facilitates collaboration across UNU and the UN, and fosters strategic partnerships globally. Furthermore, it shares knowledge and expertise with a research focus on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, and on Green Innovations, Digitalization and Entrepreneurship in the Global South.
FCA is an independent and non-profit, science-based, climate think tank recognized for high-impact work on emissions reduction. FCA focuses on science, analyzing the innovation gaps in hard-to-abate sectors and the promising technologies in the early stages of development that will help us reach net-zero by 2050. Their team of technical analysts work on reports and briefings while the policy team focuses on translating these technical analyses into policy recommendations at EU level and promoting them with policymakers from the EU institution.