Chamwe Kaira
The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) has highlighted Namibia’s green hydrogen sector after hosting a series of hydrogen roundtables in London in partnership with Scottish Development International.
The sessions connected Scotland with high-potential markets in Namibia, Oman, Morocco and Egypt and focused on Scotland’s growing role in the global green hydrogen sector while opening new commercial opportunities for Scottish companies.
Discussions covered investment, infrastructure, and export opportunities, including Namibia’s emerging hydrogen market, Oman’s desalination and transport plans, Morocco’s hydrogen technology initiatives, and Egypt’s large-scale electrolyser projects.
Each roundtable gave participants direct access to decision-makers and insights into auction frameworks and development projects.
SABA released its 2025 Annual Report, which reflects a year of expansion, higher membership activity, and stronger engagement across Scotland, London and Africa.
The report points to impact across market access, advisory support, trade missions and high-level engagements.
During the year, SABA delivered trade missions, inward delegations, hydrogen roundtables, executive briefings and the Scotland London Africa Week.
Membership increased across sectors such as energy, education and skills training, agriculture, maritime and digital innovation, with stronger participation from both Scottish organisations and African partners.
SABA also expanded its advisory services through SABA Consult, supporting Scottish companies and institutions with market intelligence, sector research and tailored introductions to priority markets.
In 2023, Scotland’s total international exports were estimated at £37.7 billion across goods and services. Exports to Africa remain a small share of overall trade, with Nigeria recorded as an export destination at about £5.6 million in a recent period.
Around 11 000 Scottish businesses export internationally out of roughly 346 000 businesses, showing broad international engagement.
Recent surveys indicate about 30% of Scottish mid-sized firms see Africa as a target for new trade routes.
“This year has demonstrated the appetite among Scottish companies to explore African markets and the strength of partnerships that are emerging as a result,” said SABA chief executive officer Frazer Lang.
Chief operating officer Seona Shand said, “Our focus this year has been on delivering value for members and making market engagement easier, more informed and more strategic. The growth in membership and participation across our programmes shows that companies want practical pathways into African markets and trusted guidance along the way. As we expand our platforms, including SABA Briefings and SABA Consult, we look forward to helping even more organisations connect, build relationships and unlock new commercial outcomes.”
Caption
The Scottish Africa Business Association hosted hydrogen roundtables in London, linking Scotland with markets in Namibia, Oman, Morocco and Egypt.
- Photo: Contributed
