Across much of sub-Saharan Africa, energy access remains limited and unreliable. Millions of households and businesses depend on back-up diesel generators, with an estimated seven million units consuming over $20 billion in fuel annually.
These generators provide critical power but come at a heavy cost: carbon dioxide emissions and high operating expenses. For decades, diesel has been the default solution where grids are weak or intermittent. But a new class of technology, hydrogen fuel cells is emerging as a potential alternative.
South African energy startup Hyena is pioneering one such solution with its POWER PODs. The units convert liquid petroleum gas (LPG), a mix of propane and butane readily available across the continent into hydrogen, which is then used to generate electricity.
Unlike diesel generators, POWER PODs produce 15% less carbon dioxide and emit virtually no harmful particulates. By using LPG as the input, Hyena bypasses the infrastructural and regulatory hurdles that have historically limited hydrogen adoption in Africa.
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The technology is designed for off-grid locations or areas with unreliable supply. Telecommunications towers, which often rely on diesel hybrids, are among the first target applications. With three-quarters of African telecom towers dependent on grid-diesel hybrids, reliable alternatives are critical.
The first proof-of-concept deployment is expected in early 2026, marking a significant step toward demonstrating fuel cell feasibility at scale.
Experts say the approach balances environmental benefits with practical realities. Dr. Sakib Khan of Enerleq, a South African hydrogen consultancy, notes that hybrid technologies like Hyena’s offer a pragmatic bridge toward decarbonization.
“Africa’s net-zero path will look different from Europe’s,” Khan says. “We must weigh energy access alongside emissions. Solutions must be decentralized, resilient, and adaptable to local contexts.”
The potential of hydrogen fuel cells is clear, but challenges remain. Initial costs are high, manufacturing is still limited, and funding for large-scale deployment is scarce. Hyena has raised around $2 million, including support from the University of Cape Town, but scaling production to meet continental demand will require substantial investment. There is also a need to train users and maintain equipment, adding another layer of complexity.
Despite these hurdles, fuel cells represent a viable pathway to reducing Africa’s reliance on diesel. By leveraging existing LPG infrastructure, Hyena’s POWER PODs offer a realistic, near-term solution while green hydrogen production and distribution systems mature.
In the longer term, widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells could cut emissions, improve air quality, and lower operational costs, particularly in off-grid and critical industrial applications.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
