In June 2023, the Dutch Prime Minister Rutte and in his entourage embarked on a trade mission to South Africa. The visit aimed to solidify South Africa’s relationship with Denmark and the Netherlands in the areas of green hydrogen, renewable energy and just energy transition. The foreign delegation also attended the Green Hydrogen Business Forum in Pretoria. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen had a meeting as well on stage as off stage discussions.
In addition to many working visits and matchmaking sessions between companies, various round tables were also organised. There were announcements of seven (7) investments and cooperation-agreements between South African and Dutch companies.
During the visit a Heads of Agreement has been concluded with the intention to launch a new ‘SA-H2 Fund’ (SA-H2). SA-H2 is an innovative blended finance fund aimed at securing €1 billion, which will facilitate and accelerate the development of a green hydrogen sector and circular economy in South Africa. The Fund is supported by Invest International, Climate Fund Managers, Sanlam Limited of South Africa, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), in collaboration with other strategic partners.
