Opinion piece by Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh, Research Fellow/Senior Researcher-Green Engineering Research Group, Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa,
The world is faced with digitalisation, misinformation, climate change, environmental pollution, epidemics, water, food and energy insecurity. “Technology” becomes NOT just a tool but the most powerful ally. We often imagine the future as a distant realm. But for Generation Z and Generation Alpha, the future is not what they are waiting to see, but rather a world already being built. As it stands, we are at the threshold of a technological renaissance, including virtual reality, drones transforming logistics and Artificial Intelligence. These are not only transforming industries but also redefining how we live, work and relate to the world around us. The future is not waiting; rather, it is already knocking at our door as we surge for energy, growing our food, delivering healthcare and verifying information. In addressing humanity’s pressing challenges, we must therefore embrace technology beyond admiration and into action.
As someone deeply involved in the world of science, engineering, and innovation, I strongly believe that it’s time we shift our perspective on technology. It’s not just the domain of experts in lab coats or tech giants in Silicon Valley. It’s a shared responsibility that demands the attention, understanding, and participation of all of us. The decisions made by stakeholders and funders on what technology to fund, regulate, and adopt will shape the kind of world we want to live in. Each of us has a role to play in this shared journey of technological development.
In this context, the potential of emerging technologies is shared as my opinion to transform our world into a cleaner, smarter, and more equitable place. This highlighted, green hydrogen, next-generation fertilisers, and AI-watermarking for digital trust are not just buzzwords, but beacons of hope in our quest for a better future. These technologies are not just reshaping industries but also offering real solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Structural battery composites and green hydrogen
Imagine a car whose body is also its battery, which is among the most recent transformative innovations, such as structural battery composites (SBCs). These are materials that can simultaneously carry mechanical loads and store electrical energy, potentially revolutionising the design and efficiency of electric vehicles[1]. Coupled with the promise of green hydrogen, these technologies offer a glimpse into a future where our energy and transportation systems are more sustainable and efficient[2]. SBCs integrate energy storage directly into the structure of vehicles, drones and even buildings, eliminating the need for battery packs. According to the World Economic Forum, SBCs could reduce vehicle weight by up to 20%, potentially increasing electric vehicle range by 70% and reducing fuel consumption in the aviation industry by 15% [3]. The global SBC market is projected to grow from USD 177 million in 2024 to over USD 1 billion by 2032, driven by demand for lightweight, multifunctional materials in transport and electronics[4]. Researchers at Chalmers University, Sweden, have developed a structural battery made of carbon fibre composite that is as stiff as aluminium and energy-dense enough for commercial use. Their prototypes have achieved energy densities of 30 Wh/kg, with the potential to double flight times for drones and significantly reduce the weight of consumer electronics[5]
While SBCs revolutionise how we store energy, green hydrogen is transforming how we produce and use it. Produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, unlike grey hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels. Green hydrogen emits no carbon and can be stored, transported, and used across sectors, especially in hard-to-decarbonise industries like steelmaking, shipping, and aviation. Green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, when used as regenerative fuel cells, is emerging as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition and serves as a bridge between renewable energy generation and industrial applications[6].
In Sub-Saharan Africa, countries like Namibia and South Africa are leading the charge. Namibia, for instance, is developing a green hydrogen ecosystem with support from international partners, aiming to become a major exporter of green hydrogen and ammonia. The country’s strategy includes localised innovation and adoption frameworks, special economic zones, and public-private partnerships to attract investment and build capacity[7]
In South Africa, the potential is immense, with abundant solar and wind resources; the country is poised to become a green hydrogen hub for Africa and beyond. The Northern Cape Green Hydrogen Strategy and the Hydrogen Society Roadmap aim to position South Africa as a global leader in hydrogen exports, with projections of producing 500,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, which can create up to 360,000 jobs by 2050 and contribute 3.6% to GDP[8]. Even though this seems very promising for the green economy, to realise its full potential, stakeholders in South Africa must invest in local manufacturing, infrastructure research and innovation and skills development. It also requires empowering research institutions to lead in SBC and hydrogen innovation, with long term funding and international collaborations.
Notwithstanding, the global energy sector is responsible for nearly 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG#7; Affordable and clean energy)[9]. We must electrify everything from transportation to industry by ensuring that the electricity comes from clean and renewable sources. However, renewable energy alone is not enough; we need efficient storage solutions and flexible energy carriers to manage supply and demand. Herein, SBCs and green hydrogen offer integrated energy storage and clean, scalable fuel for the future.
Greener Fertilizers: Turning waste into wealth
Agriculture is essential to human survival, yet it remains a significant contributor to climate change. Thus, traditional fertilizers, particularly nitrogen-based ones, are responsible for nearly 2.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with their production and application being highly energy-intensive and reliant on fossil fuels[10]. In South Africa, where agriculture is a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and food security. The need for sustainable alternatives is urgent, especially considering the country’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring food security for a growing population. This makes sustainable agriculture not just an environmental imperative, but also a socioeconomic necessity.
Green ammonia, produced using renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, is emerging as a transformative solution. It not only decarbonises fertiliser production but also serves as a hydrogen carrier, linking agriculture with clean energy systems. In Africa, where up to 90% of fertilisers are imported[11], green ammonia offers a pathway to self-sufficiency and resilience against global supply chain disruptions.
Projects like Jupiter Ionics in Australia demonstrate how green ammonia can be produced locally using solar energy, water, and air, supporting both agriculture and hydrogen storage. In South Africa, the Green Ammonia Project in the Eastern Cape is a flagship initiative under South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. Backed by the European Union, aims to produce green ammonia for export and maritime fuel, leveraging South Africa’s platinum group metals and renewable energy potential. This project, with a capital investment of R105 billion, will produce over 1 million tonnes of green ammonia annually, powered by 3.3 GW of renewable energy, and is expected to create 20,000 jobs and support domestic fertilisers[12].
Next-generation green fertilisers present a transformative opportunity for sustainable agriculture and the global green economy. These bio-based and renewable alternatives, such as those derived from human urine, offer environmental and economic advantages by reducing pollution, enhancing soil health, and closing nutrient loops. Urine, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is being repurposed through innovative technologies like solar-powered nutrient extraction and public event collection systems, yielding fertilisers that perform comparably to synthetic ones[13]. This approach eases pressure on wastewater infrastructure and lowers the carbon footprint of fertilizer production. Furthermore, ammonia, a key fertilizer component, is being reimagined as a hydrogen carrier, linking agriculture with clean energy systems[14]. In South Africa, integrating green ammonia into rural economies could create thousands of jobs, improve energy access, and reduce dependence on imports. As climate change and rising input costs threaten small-scale farmers, locally produced eco-friendly fertilisers can boost yields, empower communities, and build resilience—positioning green fertilisers as a cornerstone of food security, rural development, and a thriving circular bioeconomy.
However, social acceptance remains a key barrier for sustainable fertilisation of nitrified human urine to be transformed into a valuable agricultural resource. A study titled Nitrified Human Urine as a Sustainable and Socially Acceptable Fertilizer: An Analysis of Consumer Acceptance in Msunduzi, South Africa found that over 70% of participants were open to using urine-derived fertilizer, especially when its environmental and health benefits were clearly communicated[15]. Further research by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s WASH R&D Centre has explored direct urine capture systems for fertilizer production. These systems allow for safe, decentralized collection and treatment of urine, producing nitrified fertilizer that is both effective and socially acceptable[16]. Yet, the agronomic potential is clear. A study conducted in the Eastern Cape evaluated human urine as a nutrient source for vegetables and maize under tunnel house conditions. The results showed that urine performed comparably to synthetic fertilizers, supporting healthy crop growth and yield[17]. Despite the rollout of urine diversion (UD) toilets in rural areas of South Africa, the use of human excreta in food production remains limited. A report by the Water Research Commission (WRC) titled Recycling Human Waste Still Taboo in SA highlights that cultural perceptions and lack of awareness are major barriers to adoption[18]. A psychometric study by Simon Gwara and colleagues found that environmental awareness, income, and cultural beliefs significantly influence farmers’ willingness to use human excreta in agriculture. The study recommends mainstreaming ecological sanitation into agricultural innovation systems to improve acceptance and uptake[19]
To scale green fertilizer innovations and foster a global green economy, South Africa and other nations should promote decentralized production using renewable energy and local waste streams, redirect subsidies toward sustainable agricultural practices, and invest in advanced microbial and nanofertilizer technologies. These strategies not only enhance soil health and reduce environmental pollution but also create new economic opportunities through local manufacturing, job creation, and reduced reliance on imported chemical fertilizers. Integrating green fertilizer approaches into national climate and agricultural policies supports emission reduction targets and food security, while public education and rural development programs that link sanitation to agriculture can boost resource recovery and community resilience. Collectively, these actions can catalyze a circular bioeconomy, positioning countries as leaders in sustainable innovation and shaping a more equitable, low-carbon future.
Digital Trust for Sustainable Economic Development
In a digital trust era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping content creation, generating everything from academic essays to hyper-realistic images and deepfake videos, which raises profound concerns about truth, trust, and democratic integrity. As it stands now, distinguishing real from synthetic content has become increasingly difficult, necessitating robust verification tools. AI watermarking technologies such as GaussianSeal for 3D models and Multi-Bit Paraphrasing[20] for text embed invisible digital signatures that enable traceability and help combat misinformation, fraud, and manipulation. However, watermarking alone is insufficient; it must be embedded within a broader digital trust framework that includes an ethical AI development platform for accountability and public education.
As AI models drive demand for computational power, the sustainability of supporting infrastructure, particularly data centres, has emerged as a critical issue. According to the World Economic Forum, a 1MW data centre can consume up to 25.5 million litres of water annually for cooling[21]. Advanced cooling technologies like liquid cooling systems, optimized using artificial neural networks, are being adopted to reduce water and energy use[22]. Meanwhile, Virtual Reality (VR) is revolutionising the healthcare and education sectors. A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that automated VR therapy significantly reduced symptoms of anxious avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis, with 90% engagement after six sessions[23].
In South Africa, the urgency of digital trust is reflected in the recent amendments to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which strengthen data subject rights, expand consent requirements, and mandate stricter breach reporting[24]. To ensure compliance and protect citizens from digital deception, watermarking and smart ID systems powered by biometric authentication and blockchain-secured credentials are becoming central to verifying qualifications, accessing services, and managing digital identities[25]. Mandating smart IDs for citizens and foreign nationals in critical sectors could enhance professional verification, safeguard privacy, and reinforce digital trust in an AI-driven world.
Furthermore, AI is transforming agriculture through drone technology, enabling precision farming, crop health monitoring, and targeted pesticide application. AI-powered drones equipped with multispectral, hyperspectral, and thermal sensors enhance yield prediction, disease detection, and resource management, significantly improving productivity while reducing environmental impact[26]. In Rwanda and Ghana, drones are revolutionizing healthcare logistics by delivering blood and medical supplies to remote clinics, cutting delivery times from hours to minutes and improving access to life-
saving treatments[27]. In South Africa, drones are deployed for wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching patrols, with thermal imaging drones contributing to over 600 consecutive days without a poaching incident in reserves [28]. The global drone market is projected to reach $163.6 billion by 2030, driven by AI-powered autonomous systems and expanding applications across agriculture, logistics, construction, and emergency response[29].
Drones also play a critical role in disaster management, supporting search and rescue operations, assessing damage after floods or fires, and delivering aid where roads are impassable. Their ability to collect real-time data and restore communication networks makes them indispensable in crisis scenarios[30]. As regulatory frameworks evolve, the integration of drones into urban airspace and public services is poised to make drone-based delivery and surveillance a daily reality, shaping a more resilient and intelligent future
Conclusion: A call to action for a resilient digital and green economy
In an era where truth is increasingly shaped by algorithms and infrastructure demands are surging, technologies that foster transparency, accountability, and sustainability are essential and not an option. AI watermarking, smart digital identity systems, and environmentally responsible data centres form the backbone of a resilient digital ecosystem. Yet, technology alone cannot guarantee trust and equity. It must be guided by ethical governance, inclusive infrastructure and bold policy leadership.
To move from innovation to impact, governments must act decisively. This includes mandating watermarking for AI-generated content in sensitive domains, integrating smart ID systems with privacy laws like POPIA, and investing in digital literacy to empower citizens against misinformation. Equally vital is the promotion of sustainable digital infrastructure requiring full water and energy systems to ensure environmental responsibility.In the green economy, the government must invest in structural battery composites (SBCs), regenerative hydrogen and bio-based fertilisers. Support should also be given to decentralised fertiliser production using renewable energy and waste streams, redirect subsidies toward sustainable practices and fund microbial and nano-based fertiliser research for the enhancement of soil health. Technologies such as VR, drones, green hydrogen, and urine-derived fertilisers are not just engineering breakthroughs—they are practical solutions to global challenges, including climate change, healthcare access, food insecurity, and digital misinformation. But innovation without implementation is unrealized potential.
The future of digital trust and sustainability depends on the choices we make today. By investing in inclusive infrastructure, ethical frameworks, and community empowerment, we can build a resilient economy that is both green and digitally secure, one that serves people, protects the planet, and prepares society for the challenges ahead.
[1] Hu, Y., Sun, D., Zheng, Q., Han, Z. and Zhang, W., 2025. Development of structural battery composites with high mechanical performance via extension of carbon fabric electrodes. Composites Part B: Engineering, p.113051.
[2] Tetteh, E.K., Sijadu, N.G. and Rathilal, S., 2024. An overview of non-carbonaceous and renewable-powered technologies for green hydrogen production in South Africa: Keywords occurrence analysis. Energy Strategy Reviews, 54, p.101486.
[3] World Economic Forum. (2025). Structural Battery Composites Could Alter the Way Planes and Cars Are Powered. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org
[4] Market Research Future. (2024). Structural Battery Composites Market Forecast 2024–2032.https://www.congruencemarketinsights.com/report/structural-battery-composites-sbcs-market
[5] Chaudhary R, Xu J, Xia Z, Asp LE. Unveiling the Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Structural Battery. Adv Mater. 2024 Nov;36(48):e2409725. doi: 10.1002/adma.202409725. Epub 2024 Sep 10. PMID: 39252671.
[6] Mtolo, S., Rathilal, S., Mthombeni, N.H., Moloi, K. and Tetteh, E.K., 2025. Techno‐Economic Analysis of Solar‐Wind Hybrid Systems for Green Hydrogen Production in South Africa, KwaZulu‐Natal Province. Energy Science & Engineering.https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.70257
[7] South African Department of Science and Innovation. (2023). Hydrogen Society Roadmaphttps://trendsresearch.org/insight/green-hydrogen-development-in-sub-saharan-africa-namibia-as-a-case-study/
[8] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3662305–eus-115-billion-investment-to-propel-south-africas-green-growth-and-innovation
[9] United Nations. (2021). Sustainable Development Goal 7: Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All . https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7
[10] Green Ammonia: Transforming Agriculture in Africa | RTI
[11] Mngadi, S.Z., Tetteh, E.K., Khumalo, S.M. and Rathilal, S., 2025. Advancements in Food Waste Recycling Technologies in South Africa: Novel Approaches for Biofertilizer and Bioenergy Production—A Review. Energies.https://doi.org/10.3390/en18205396
[12] https://www.miningweekly.com/article/european-union-elevates-south-africas-r105bn-green-hydrogen-project-to-new-high-2025-10-10
[13] ATANG, A.A., 2024. Sustainable Hydrogen from Urinary Waste: useful Waste-to-Energy.https://tesi.univpm.it/handle/20.500.12075/22233
[14] Ejedegba, E.O., 2024. Advancing green energy transitions with ecofriendly fertilizer solutions supporting agricultural sustainability. International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science.
[15] Wilde, B. C., Lieberherr, E., Okem, A. E., & Six, J. (2019). Nitrified Human Urine as a Sustainable and Socially Acceptable Fertilizer: An Analysis of Consumer Acceptance in Msunduzi, South Africa. Sustainability, 11(9), 2456. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092456
[16] UKZN WASH CENTRE https://washcentre.ukzn.ac.za/direct-urine-capture-for-fertiliser/
[17] Mnkeni, P.N.S. and Austin, L.M., 2009. Fertiliser value of human manure from pilot urine-diversion toilets. Water SA, 35(1).
[18] Water Research Commission, Recycling human waste still taboo in SA https://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/WaterWheel_2008_03_11%20Ecosan%20p%2029-31.pdf
[19] Gwara, S., Wale, E. and Odindo, A., 2022. Psychometric analysis of the ecological dispositions of rural farming communities in South Africa: implications for human excreta reuse in agriculture. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, 1(6), p.e0000019.
[20] [2503.00531] GaussianSeal: Rooting Adaptive Watermarks for 3D Gaussian Generation Model
[21] World Economic Forum , https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/11/circular-water-solutions-sustainable-data-centres/
[22] Shao, W., Chen, Q., He, K. and Zhang, M., 2020. Operation optimization of liquid cooling systems in data centers by the heat current method and artificial neural network. Journal of Thermal Science, 29(4), pp.1063-1075.
[23] Lancet study reveals benefits of OxfordVR psychotherapy for mental illness
[24] Protection of Personal Information Act: Regulations: Amendment
[25] Mukherjee, P., 2025. CredibleIDs: Leveraging Biometric Authentication, Blockchain Technology, and Machine Learning for Enhanced Digital Identity Management Systems. In Blockchain and Machine Learning Innovations: Breaking Barriers with Distributed Intelligence (pp. 1-16). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
[26] Agrawal, Juhi, and Muhammad Yeasir Arafat. 2024. “Transforming Farming: A Review of AI-Powered UAV Technologies in Precision Agriculture” Drones 8, no. 11: 664. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8110664
[27] Harshe, S.J., Trostle, G.L. and Teoh, R., 2023, June. Drone Medical Deliveries in Low and Moderate Income Countries: Insights from Vanuatu, Malawi, Rwanda, and Ghana. In NASA Final Case Study Analysis.
[28] 5 Ways Conservation Drones Are Powering a Wildlife Protection Breakthrough in South Africa
[29] Drone Market Size, Share & Growth | Industry Report, 2030
[30] Yucesoy, E., Balcik, B. and Coban, E., 2025. The role of drones in disaster response: A literature review of operations research applications. International Transactions in Operational Research, 32(2), pp.545-589.
Pictured: Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh.
Source: https://nstf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/25OpinionPieceDrTettehOct.pdf
