Tana Malinga

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), in collaboration with Standard Bank South Africa, officially launched its Green Hydrogen Centre on 4 September 2025, marking a historic step in advancing innovation, sustainability, and industry-focused education.

The event brought together influential leaders, including Mr. Maemo Kope, Acting Executive Director of TTI, Prof. Khehla Ndlovu, Vice-Chancellor of VUT, and Dr. Speech Nelana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation. Academic and industry partners such as Dr. Stanford Chidziva from the University of the Western Cape, Dr. Khaled About El Hossein, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Dr. Lord Ugwu from the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, contributed their expertise.

Prof. Ndlovu highlighted: “This marks a bold step in positioning VUT as a leader in sustainable technologies. The shift from grey to green hydrogen is not only about cleaner energy, but also about creating new opportunities for our communities and industries.”

Standard Bank, represented by Ms. Simone Cooper, Head of Business and Commercial Banking South Africa, said: “We believe green hydrogen is central to Africa’s energy transition. By financing innovation and equipping small businesses, we aim to ensure South Africa is globally competitive in this space.”

Dr. Lord Ugwu added: “This project is not only about decarbonising South Africa, but also about Africa’s future. The pace of transformation from grey to green hydrogen will depend on government support and the commitment of industries across the hydrogen value chain.”

Guests also toured VUT’s new 3D machinery, witnessing applications in repair, production, and manufacturing.

The event closed with Prof. Chengedzai Mafini, Dean of Management Sciences, thanking partners for “building bridges between academia, industry, and finance towards a greener future.”