JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – April 2026 - Bambili Energy, a pioneering South African clean energy solution provider, together with its strategic partner HyPlat, a specialised membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) manufacturer, participated in the prestigious 2026 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo (H2 & FC EXPO) in Tokyo, Japan. The exhibition took place from March 16 to 18, 2026, at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition.

This event marked another significant step for the South African hydrogen economy onto the global stage. As Africa’s leading voice in scalable fuel cell technology, Bambili Energy continues to demonstrate its robust, "Made in South Africa" power solutions to a worldwide audience of industry leaders, investors, and technology partners. Bambili was invited by the South African Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) to participate in the event. 

Bambili Energy provides clean, flexible, and reasonably priced energy solutions designed to withstand tough climatic conditions. At the Tokyo expo, and in a strategic move to highlight the depth of the local supply chain, Bambili Energy co-exhibited with its partner, HyPlat, a manufacturer of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs). MEAs are often referred to as the "heart" of the fuel cell, comprising the proton exchange membrane and the electrode/catalyst layer that facilitates the chemical reaction creating electricity. By presenting both the system and the core component technology, the South African delegation aims to demonstrate vertical integration capability and technical sovereignty.

Nyonga Fofang, the MD of Bambili Group and Zanele Mavuso Mbatha, CEO of Bambili Energy, expressed their enthusiasm about the South African delegation's participation in the event: "Japan is a global leader in hydrogen technology and a critical market for fuel cell adoption. Our presence at the FC Expo is not just about displaying our products; it is about signalling that Africa is ready to contribute to and collaborate in the global hydrogen value chain. We are bringing high-quality, durable, and efficient solutions that address the reality of energy access worldwide."

The agenda included high-level networking sessions, technical workshops, and strategic meetings aimed at fostering international partnerships. The mission aligns with Bambili Group and Bambili Energy’s visions of exchanging knowledge across regions to accelerate the energy transition, echoing their ongoing exploratory dialogues with international partners in markets like Europe, the UK, China, Japan, and South Korea.

The FC Expo is one of the world’s leading exhibitions for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The 2026 edition hosted over 480 exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors from across the globe, including major players like Toyota, Panasonic, and various international energy consortia. 

The event saw strong international attendance, validating Japan as one of the strategic market entry points. South Africa, Germany, and Switzerland were among the countries with a dedicated pavilion, presenting engineering solutions, featuring start-ups and high-quality component manufacturers in the value chain. 

The main talking points at this expo were cost reduction, supply chain logistics, and international collaboration. If one is interested in clean energy, automotive, or heavy industry, this was one of the definitive events to understand where the market is heading in 2026.