Learn more
ABOUT us
African Hydrogen Ventures (Pty) Ltd (“AHV”) is a startup company, based in South Africa, focusing on the development and commercialisation of hydrogen opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AHV was incorporated in 2022, with AP Ventures currently the sole investor but positioned to expand and diversify its shareholding including employee participation. AHV was spun out of AP Ventures (“APV”), a leading independent global specialist venture capital firm focused on the hydrogen industry and headquartered in London, with offices in South Africa.
APV invests in technologies that address today’s biggest global challenges, with a portfolio focused on hydrogen, its role in decarbonising energy, and the potential to unlock the hydrogen value chain enabling the swift transition to sustainable energy. The technologies range from upstream hydrogen production (electrolysis, methane pyrolysis, etc.) to applications in the market including hydrogen refuelling and power solutions, and production of industrial feedstocks (green ammonia).
What we do
- Early–stage project development participation in de-risking projects.
- Developing innovative business and funding models to de-risk new technology infrastructure.
- Early market deployment of technologies to drive economies of scale and benefits.
- Influence the regulatory framework.
- Drive sustainable value chain development (localisation).
- Mapping and integration of AP Ventures portfolio company technologies to local opportunities.
- Invest in local technical skills development and stimulate skills transfer into Sub-Saharan Africa.
In-house Capabilities
Debt/equity structuring
Capital raising
Project development & Due diligence
Business case development
PPA negotiation
System design
Debt/equity structuring
Capital raising
Project development & Due diligence
Business case development
PPA negotiation
System design
Sustainability
Different types of Hydrogen
01
Grey Hydrogen
Process
SMR or gasification
Source
Methane or coal
02
Blue Hydrogen
Process
SMR or gasification with carbon capture (85-95%)
Source
Methane or coal
03
Turquoise Hydrogen
Process
Pyrolysis
Source
Methane
04
Green Hydrogen
Process
Electrolysis
Source
Renewable electricity
01
Grey Hydrogen
Process
SMR or gasification
Source
Methane or coal
02
Blue Hydrogen
Process
SMR or gasification with carbon capture (85-95%)
Source
Methane or coal
03
Turquoise Hydrogen
Process
Pyrolysis
Source
Methane
04
Green Hydrogen
Process
Electrolysis
Source
Renewable electricity
SMR: Steam Methane Reforming | Source: IRENA (2020)
Governance & Management
The Board of Directors has four members, comprising experienced independent members who are experts in the industry and the shareholders’ representative.
The Board aligns itself with the business philosophy of AHV and works to promote an environment within the company that establishes principles of honesty, fairness and diligence as basic guidelines for all employees and stakeholders whilst pursuing AHV’s business objectives.
The Board ensures that the company is, and is seen to be, a responsible corporate citizen by having regard to not only the financial aspects of the business of the company but also the impact that business operations have on the environment and the society within which it operates.
The Board aligns itself with the business philosophy of AHV and works to promote an environment within the company that establishes principles of honesty, fairness and diligence as basic guidelines for all employees and stakeholders whilst pursuing AHV’s business objectives.
The Board ensures that the company is, and is seen to be, a responsible corporate citizen by having regard to not only the financial aspects of the business of the company but also the impact that business operations have on the environment and the society within which it operates.
Fahmida Smith
Non-Executive Director (Chairperson)
Fahmida is a Chemical Engineer by profession and has been in the PGM mining industry for 25 years. The last 14 years of her career have been focused on Market Development, particularly in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector where she was responsible for the development of the first hydrogen fuel cell forklift and refuelling station in South Africa.
Kevin Eggers
Non-Executive Director
(Shareholder representative)
(Shareholder representative)
Kevin is a Founding Partner of AP Ventures, an independent venture capital fund. He has worked extensively across Europe, South Africa, and the United States. He is passionate about uncovering and investing in advanced technology companies that solve global challenges focused on the energy transition, resource scarcity and changing demographics.
Marde van Wyk
Non-Executive Director
Marde is an investment professional with extensive experience in Private Equity. Her experience covers the entire deal value chain from sourcing, and transaction structuring to implementation, and portfolio management underpinned by a strong financial skillset. Marde has an appreciation for innovation and solution engineering in addressing industry challenges.
David Sekgororwana
Executive Director (Managing Director)
David is a Chemical Engineer by profession but honed his career over 20 years in various disciplines including metallurgical R&D, Petrochemical operations, Strategy and Business Development & Investment. David is on a mission to assist entrepreneurs in building and growing sustainable businesses thus making a difference in the lives of Africans.
Fahmida Smith
Non-Executive Director (Chairperson)
Fahmida is a Chemical Engineer by profession and has been in the PGM mining industry for 25 years. The last 14 years of her career have been focused on Market Development, particularly in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector where she was responsible for the development of the first hydrogen fuel cell forklift and refuelling station in South Africa.
Kevin Eggers
Non-Executive Director
(Shareholder representative)
(Shareholder representative)
Kevin is a Founding Partner of AP Ventures, an independent venture capital fund. He has worked extensively across Europe, South Africa, and the United States. He is passionate about uncovering and investing in advanced technology companies that solve global challenges focused on the energy transition, resource scarcity and changing demographics.
Marde van Wyk
Non-Executive Director
Marde is an investment professional with extensive experience in Private Equity. Her experience covers the entire deal value chain from sourcing, and transaction structuring to implementation, and portfolio management underpinned by a strong financial skillset. Marde has an appreciation for innovation and solution engineering in addressing industry challenges.
David Sekgororwana
Executive Director (Managing Director)
David is a Chemical Engineer by profession but honed his career over 20 years in various disciplines including metallurgical R&D, Petrochemical operations, Strategy and Business Development & Investment. David is on a mission to assist entrepreneurs in building and growing sustainable businesses thus making a difference in the lives of Africans.
Business Principles
Sustainably grow shareholder value
Robust Portfolio
- High risk appetite: early-stage participation
- Project scale diversification: small to large projects
- Geographic diversification (SSA) with focus on high growth regions
- Active portfolio management
Performance Drive
- Proactive assessment at different stages of project development to maximise value
- Deployment of APV portfolio technologies
- Leverage investments through partnerships and co-investments
- Value chain development focus
Profitable Growth
- Differentiated applications
- Create and implement fast growing opportunities
- Pursue large-scale growth
- Adjacencies with synergies to be leveraged for growth
