Suez Canal Economic Zone, UNIDO launch Egypt clean hydrogen programme

Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority (SCZONE), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), launched a National Clean Hydrogen Programme on Wednesday, aiming to accelerate the country’s transition to a green hydrogen economy.

The programme, unveiled at SCZONE’s headquarters in the New Capital, will provide pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for priority green hydrogen projects, offer technical and policy support, build institutional capacity, and establish a Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Ain Sokhna.

SCZONE’s Chairman Waleid Gamal El-Dien said the initiative underscores Egypt’s commitment to supporting clean energy projects and localising related industries within its industrial zones. “This programme will create an attractive investment environment capable of competing regionally and internationally,” he said.

The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministries of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Local Development, and Environment, along with a UNIDO delegation led by Petra Schwager, Chief of the Climate and Technology Partnership (CTP) Division.

UNIDO highlighted Egypt’s potential to become a regional leader in green hydrogen, noting that the programme would accelerate climate-friendly solutions, foster local value creation, and drive industrial and economic development.

The initiative is part of UNIDO’s Global Clean Hydrogen Programme, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and covering 10 countries. A steering committee, including representatives from SCZONE, UNIDO, and several Egyptian ministries, will oversee implementation to ensure alignment with national priorities.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English