The workshop featured expert contributions from several Fraunhofer institutes, including Fraunhofer IMWS (Klemens Ilse, Sebastian Schindler, Stephan Krause), Fraunhofer IEE, Fraunhofer IST (Dr. Guido Hora), and Fraunhofer ISC (Mark Mirza, Bastian Fett), alongside partners from HySA Infrastructure (Dmitri Bessarabov) and North-West University (Kyle Meerholz).
A keynote address by Mandy Mlilo (Department for Energy & Hydrogen, South Africa) opened the programme and set the framework for two days of intensive technical discussion and matchmaking.

Key elements of the workshop included:

• Technology and project highlights from the HySecunda initiative
• Insights from leading South African research and innovation institutions
• Flash and impulse talks by companies and organisations such as Siemens Energy, Bosch, ENERTRAG, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), as well as Sasol, Mintek, CSIR, SANEDI, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, Eskom, Invest In Africa, and the University of South Africa

Outcome
The networking sessions led to numerous targeted discussions and the identification of concrete ideas for future joint projects. The Fraunhofer delegation returned with a strong pipeline of cooperation opportunities, underlining the significant potential of German–South African collaboration in green hydrogen technologies.

A symbolic highlight concluded the event: hosted by Riverstone Lodge Muldersdrift, participants jointly planted the “HySecunda Tree”, representing sustainable partnership and long-term cooperation.

The organisers thank all speakers and participants for their engagement, with special appreciation to Dmitri Bessarabov and the HySA and NWU teams for hosting an event with clear impact.