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Hydrogen production across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) in 2026 is estimated at approximately 8.5 to 9.5 million tonnes, positioning the region as one of the largest hydrogen-producing blocs globally by aggregate output. Production is deeply embedded within refining, petrochemical, fertiliser and export-oriented industrial systems, particularly across the Middle East, while Africa contributes a smaller but structurally growing share linked to industrial and resource-based demand.
Production volumes are governed by installed reforming capacity, hydrocarbon and renewable feedstock availability, industrial utilisation rates and infrastructure integration. In the Middle East, hydrogen output is anchored by large-scale natural gas and refinery-linked production systems. In Africa, hydrogen production remains smaller in absolute volume, concentrated around fertiliser manufacturing, refining and emerging industrial hubs.
From a production-cost perspective, hydrogen economics across MEA are shaped by feedstock availability, energy system integration, capital scale efficiency and utilisation discipline. Regions with low-cost hydrocarbons or high-quality renewable resources exhibit structurally competitive production economics. Output growth reflects industrial expansion, export integration and infrastructure readiness rather than hydrogen price volatility.
Industrial hydrogen dominates allocation across MEA due to the concentration of large-scale refining and fertiliser operations operating under continuous-process conditions. These applications prioritise high-volume throughput, reliability and feedstock integration.
Hydrogen derivatives, particularly ammonia, play a central role by converting hydrogen into exportable molecules aligned with global trade infrastructure. Energy and mobility uses remain secondary and do not define baseload production capacity.
SMR and ATR underpin the majority of MEA hydrogen production due to feedstock availability and infrastructure integration, particularly in the Middle East. Electrolysis-based hydrogen is deployed selectively, supported by access to low-cost solar and wind resources and export-linked project design.
From a production perspective, technology selection emphasises scale efficiency, reliability and integration with downstream conversion assets, rather than rapid technology substitution.
Industrial and derivative applications establish the baseload for hydrogen production across MEA due to continuous demand and export commitments. Energy applications remain supplementary and do not define core capacity sizing.
From a production standpoint, co-location of hydrogen generation, conversion and export infrastructure supports predictable output scheduling and high utilisation rates.
Countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar anchor the region’s largest hydrogen production capacity through integrated refining, petrochemical and fertiliser complexes.
Support hydrogen production linked to ports, export terminals and large-scale industrial clusters.
Africa
Hydrogen production is concentrated around fertiliser manufacturing and refining in countries such as Egypt and Morocco.
Smaller production volumes linked to refining and fertiliser operations, with emerging potential tied to industrial development.
MEA’s hydrogen supply chain begins with hydrocarbon extraction, gas processing and renewable power generation, followed by hydrogen production, conversion into derivatives, storage and export. Domestic hydrogen transport is limited due to extensive co-location of production and consumption assets.
Cost drivers are dominated by feedstock economics, plant scale, capital efficiency and utilisation rates. Storage and logistics costs are optimised through ammonia conversion and proximity to ports. Pricing formation reflects long-term industrial and export contracts rather than hydrogen spot markets.
The MEA hydrogen production ecosystem includes national oil companies, petrochemical majors, fertiliser producers, utilities, port authorities and state-backed developers. The ecosystem is characterised by scale, feedstock advantage and export orientation.
Strategic priorities include maintaining cost leadership, expanding export-linked hydrogen and ammonia capacity, integrating electrolysis at utility scale and ensuring infrastructure readiness for long-term international supply commitments.
Hydrogen production across the Middle East and Africa in 2026 is estimated at approximately 8.5 to 9.5 million tonnes per year, driven primarily by refining, petrochemical and fertiliser operations in the Middle East, with smaller but growing contributions from Africa.
Key advantages include low-cost hydrocarbon feedstocks, high-quality renewable resources, large-scale integrated industrial infrastructure and export-oriented project design, supporting competitive production economics.
Hydrogen output is dominated by steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATR), with electrolysis-based hydrogen playing a complementary and expanding role in export-linked developments.
Ammonia is central, serving as the primary carrier for hydrogen storage and export, enabling large-scale international trade and stabilising hydrogen demand.
Constraints include capital intensity, water availability for electrolysis, infrastructure build timelines and alignment with export demand growth rather than domestic consumption limits.
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Middle East & Africa (MEA) Hydrogen Production Capacity and Growth Outlook
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