Kenya has a strong foundation to provide competitive e-fuels, with the potential to supply both domestic and international maritime demand.
by Blue Africa News
A new report has revealed that Kenya holds a significant potential in the production and use of zero-emission fuels for the shipping industry.
The report by Global Maritime Forum (GMF) titled ‘Powering clean shipping: Kenya in the global power-to-x economy’ published on September 08, 2025, examines the country’s renewable energy resources and opportunities to develop scalable electro-fuels such as e-ammonia and e-methanol.
Funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Power-to-X Hub, the study found that Kenya can produce e-fuels with green hydrogen at a levelised cost US$1,121 per tonne, which is competitive with other global production locations.
“The most cost-effective combination of factors assessed for the production of e-fuels is large-scale, Mombasa-based green hydrogen and fuel production,” the report reads in part.
With abundant wind, solar and geothermal resources, Kenya has a strong foundation for the competitive production of e-fuels, with the potential to supply both domestic maritime demand and international markets.
The report called for fostering partnerships across public and private sectors, stimulating demand through green shipping corridors, and advancing pilot projects at Kenyan ports as some of the key strategic priorities for unlocking the East African nation’s e-fuels potential.
Justus Omae Nyarandi, Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said Kenya is committed to harnessing its abundant renewable resources to drive a green transition in shipping, starting with ports.
“By advancing e-fuels through power-to-x technologies, we can respond to the rising global demand for low-carbon shipping and prepare for the International Maritime Organization’s mid-term measures,” he stated.
“Developing a green shipping corridor offers Kenya the opportunity to stimulate demand for these fuels while strengthening trade routes with our international partners. For exports such as cut flowers, coffee, and tea, this transition will not only reduce emissions but also create wider benefits for Kenyan communities.”
Zero emission refers to the absence or minimization of harmful greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants associated with a particular activity, according to WTS Energy.
Global shipping transports the majority of the world’s goods, and is responsible for 3% of international emissions, with a potential to increase by half by 2050 on its current trajectory.
About 15% of premature mortality associated with air pollution from transportation is attributed to shipping, with air pollution from shipping causing roughly 60,000 premature deaths annually, majorly in China, Japan and India.
Shipping is considered the 6th largest emitter worldwide. As such, over the next 30 years, international maritime transport seeks to reduce its greenhouse emissions by at least 50 percent.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News
