Driving Morocco’s Clean Energy Future: Bouchra Zoubaa’s Hackathon Journey

January 24, 2025
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The #GH2CampMorocco was a vibrant and ambitious initiative co-organised by the MED-GEM network in partnership with IRESEN and GIZ Morocco. It brought together 40 young Moroccan talents after receiving over 260 applicants to tackle an urgent global challenge: developing a sustainable national vision for green ammonia. For Bouchra Zoubaa, a chemical engineering student about to graduate, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

“My academic background justified my interest in applying for the Green Hydrogen Hackathon,” Bouchra explained. “I already had some knowledge of green energy and was eager to learn more about the topic, both in a general sense and specifically in the Moroccan context.” For Bouchra, the hackathon was an educational journey that aligned with her long-term goals of becoming an expert in the field of green hydrogen.

GaFurNu: Pioneering Solutions for Green Ammonia 

In the first phase of the hackathon, which took place in July 2024, participants were tasked with creating a roadmap for green ammonia production. Bouchra’s team developed an innovative concept called “GaFurNu”,” short for green ammonia furnaces. The idea focused on using green ammonia as a fuel to decarbonise key Moroccan industries, particularly steel production and the aviation industry.

“We identified these sectors as a priority because they are among the biggest CO2 emitters in the country,” explained Bouchra. The trip was not without its challenges. Bouchra recalled how intense the competition became after her team was selected as one of the finalists. “Time management was a big source of stress,” she admitted. “Expectations were high, but the mentoring we received was life-changing. The experts helped us refine our project and turn it into something that could be implemented instead of remaining theoretical.”

After months of mentoring and hard work, the finalists presented their projects at the World Power-to-X Summit in Marrakech in October 2024. GaFurNu took first place and thanks to MED-GEM received a fully funded study trip by the European Union to the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürenberg in Germany. “The study trip was an enriching experience,” reports Bouchra. “We discussed green hydrogen topics with PhD students and explored cutting-edge technologies. It was better than a cash prize because it was so enlightening.”

Inspiring a Green Future

Bouchra was not only able to expand her technical expertise, but she also discovered that she is passionate about inspiring others and promoting green energy innovation in her community. Determined to share the knowledge she gained, Bouchra took proactive steps to spark interest in green hydrogen at her university.

“Since it’s an engineering school, I organised an exchange session at my university to share my Hackathon experience,” she explained. Her story resonated with her peers, and the session ignited a wave of curiosity. Many students expressed newfound interest in green hydrogen and its transformative potential. “I explained how young people can get involved and encouraged them to participate in the next Hackathon or similar projects,” she added.

Additionally, this experience had a lasting impact on Bouchra’s personal and professional aspirations. In that sense, it was a catalyst for self-discovery and a redefined career path. “The MED-GEM Hackathon changed my career path. Now, I see myself fully invested in the green economy and clean energy,” she reflected. Her words highlight a commitment to engineering with purpose, emphasising that innovation must balance profitability with environmental responsibility. “As an engineer, I don’t just want to work on projects that generate profit. It’s crucial to always consider the environment.”

Her advice to young innovators reflects the lessons she has learned along the way: “Be brave enough to share your ideas if you believe in them. Even if you don’t think your concept is 100% applicable, seek advice, learn and do your best to refine it. Stay curious, keep an open mind and connect with the right people who can help you bring your idea to life.”

Looking ahead, Bouchra is positive about the future of green hydrogen in Morocco. “I am very optimistic about the future of green hydrogen in Morocco. I believe that we will soon be using it, which will be a big step towards liberating our natural resources, a benefit for any country,” she says.

The Green Hydrogen Hackathon was more than just a competition; it was a platform for innovation, collaboration and growth. Through the efforts of participants like Bouchra and her team, the potential of young talent to make a meaningful contribution to Morocco’s green transition and global sustainability goals was demonstrated.

 

The MED-GEM Network, funded by the European Union, is driving the development of Green Electrons and Molecules (GEM) in the southern neighbourhood. Its mission is to build a sustainable and self-sustaining network that promotes cooperation and dialogue between key players in the energy sector. By focusing on renewable and green hydrogen, the project aims to foster the growth of the GEM industry at regional level and support a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. In 2024, MED.GEM organised Green Hydrogen Camps and Hackathons in Morocco and Lebanon, with two more planned for 2025 in Tunisia and Egypt. These events are central to raising public awareness of the urgent need for a clean energy transition in the region while empowering young innovators to contribute to this global effort.