Experts believe the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA region) can become a global leader in “green steel production and its emerging trade”. The large sources of solar energy that can supply green hydrogen to produce sponge iron-based steel means the region could become a major supplier to growing markets such as India and Europe.

 Meantime, instead of trying to find a proper way to export green hydrogen, which seems inefficient and costly to transport, the region should prioritize domestic market use, such as its sponge iron mills.

Steelmakers around the world are transitioning from blast furnace-based manufacturing to sponge iron technology that can work with green hydrogen. The region has another advantage because its steel sector is already based on sponge iron and has access to renewable energy sources that will allow it to produce cheap green hydrogen in the near future.