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).
- 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.
Different types of Hydrogen
Grey Hydrogen
Process
Source
Methane or coal
Blue Hydrogen
Process
Source
Turquoise Hydrogen
Process
Source
Green Hydrogen
Process
Source
Grey Hydrogen
Process
Source
Methane or coal
Blue Hydrogen
Process
Source
Turquoise Hydrogen
Process
Source
Green Hydrogen
Process
Source
SMR: Steam Methane Reforming | Source: IRENA (2020)
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
Kevin Eggers
(Shareholder representative)
Marde van Wyk
David Sekgororwana
Fahmida Smith
Kevin Eggers
(Shareholder representative)
Marde van Wyk
David Sekgororwana
Business Principles
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