Momentum in MENA: report back from the 29th AFA conference

By Hans Vrijenhoef on March 08, 2023

Last month, AEA Executive Vice-President Hans Vrijenhoef presented to a full house at the 29th AFA International Fertilizer Conference in Cairo, Egypt. Hans covered the challenging task of aligning the certification tools of various parties, including the AEA’s under-development low-carbon ammonia certification scheme.

Overview of ammonia certification schemes in development, and key areas to collaborate on going forward. From Hans Vrijenhoef, Ammonia — the Green Oil of the Future (Feb 2023).
Click to enlarge. Overview of ammonia certification schemes in development, and key areas to collaborate on going forward. From Hans Vrijenhoef, Ammonia — the Green Oil of the Future (Feb 2023).

In his talk, Hans pushed for international harmonization between certification tools, including data standards and modular certification schemes (these can be market &/or country-specific). Global harmonization will be absolutely critical for the successful introduction of decarbonized ammonia fuel into various global markets.

Hans also pointed out that it should be easy to control the issuing of decarbonized ammonia certificates. This will give companies and institutions confidence to accept the face value of such certificates, which will have a positive ramp-up effect on decarbonized ammonia production and realization of new ammonia energy applications.

The conference was hosted by the Arab Fertilizer Association (AFA) in partnership with Stichting NH3 Event Europe. Three Egyptian government ministers and over four hundred and fifty attendees were present throughout the conference.

Delegates at the 29th AFA International Fertilizer Conference in Cairo. Source: Hans Vrijenhoef.
Click to enlarge. Delegates at the 29th AFA International Fertilizer Conference in Cairo. Source: Hans Vrijenhoef.

Egypt is now fully pushing the introduction of renewable energy in fertilizer production across the country, and building its capabilities as a major exporter of ammonia as an energy carrier. An official budget of over 80 million USD has been made available for innovative solutions to realize the transition in Egypt.

All AFA members were present, and are actively looking for new projects based on renewables or carbon capture. The COP27 meeting in Sharm El Sheikh last November resulted in 24 LOIs to proceed with projects in Egypt, mainly ammonia-based. The parties to these LOIs that were present in Cairo were all positive about their progress to date. There was also enthusiasm in the room to see a domestic electrolyser manufacturing industry establish itself in Egypt.

Delegates at the 29th AFA International Fertilizer Conference in Cairo. Source: Hans Vrijenhoef.
Click to enlarge. Delegates at the 29th AFA International Fertilizer Conference in Cairo. Source: Hans Vrijenhoef.

The next key event for the AFA will be this October in Qatar. The AFA will look to further strengthen its position towards decarbonized ammonia production and applications. These sessions are a great way for AEA members to learn about Arab projects, as the push towards decarbonized ammonia in the MENA region gathers pace.