Burkina Faso

This paper aims to review existing energy-sector and hydrogen-energy-related legal policy and strategy documents in the ECOWAS region. To achieve this aim current renewable-energyrelated laws acts of parliament executive orders presidential decrees administrative orders and memoranda were analyzed. The study shows that ECOWAS countries have strived to design consistent legal instruments regarding renewable energy in developing comprehensive legislation and bylaws to consolidate it and to encourage investments in renewable energy. Despite all these countries having a legislative basis for regulating renewable energy there are still weaknesses that revolve around the law and policy regarding its possible application in green hydrogen production and use. The central conclusion of this review paper is that ECOWAS member states presently have no official hydrogen policies nor bylaws in place. The hydrogen rise presents a challenge and opportunity for members to play an important role in the fast-growing global hydrogen market. Therefore these countries need to reform their regulatory frameworks and align their policies by introducing green hydrogen production in order to accomplish their green economy transition for the future and to boost the continent’s sustainable development.

Green hydrogen is gaining global attention as a zero-carbon energy carrier with the potential to drive sustainable energy transitions particularly in regions facing rising fossil fuel costs and resource depletion. In sub-Saharan Africa financing mechanisms and structured off-take agreements are critical to attracting investment across the green hydrogen value chain from advisory and pilot stages to full-scale deployment. While substantial funding is required to support a green economic transition success will depend on the effective mobilization of capital through smart public policies and innovative financial instruments. This review evaluates financing mechanisms relevant to sub-Saharan Africa including green bonds public–private partnerships foreign direct investment venture capital grants and loans multilateral and bilateral funding and government subsidies. Despite their potential current capital flows remain insufficient and must be significantly scaled up to meet green energy transition targets. This study employs a mixed-methods approach drawing on primary data from utility firms under the H2Atlas-Africa project and secondary data from international organizations and the peer-reviewed literature. The analysis identifies that transitioning toward Net-Zero emissions economies through hydrogen development in sub-Saharan Africa presents both significant opportunities and measurable risks. Specifically the results indicate an estimated investment risk factor of 35% reflecting potential challenges such as financing infrastructure and policy readiness. Nevertheless the findings underscore that green hydrogen is a viable alternative to fossil fuels in subSaharan Africa particularly if supported by targeted financing strategies and robust policy frameworks. This study offers practical insights for policymakers financial institutions and development partners seeking to structure bankable projects and accelerate green hydrogen adoption across the region.