In the energy transition framework towards decarbonization, green hydrogen, obtained through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is gaining importance.

In order to pave the way to its production and trade, it is required to assess its main advantages and challenges, which are not only energy-related but involve also techno-economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical aspects. In line with this, the current article aims to provide a Multi-criteria Spatial Decision Support System to investigate the suitability of North African countries with respect to the production of solar-based hydrogen and its potential trade, and to apply it to Tunisia, as one of the most promising countries for becoming a competitive hydrogen exporting leader.

Combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Geographical Information System, this study focuses on evaluating the land suitability for solar hydrogen production at a country level, serving as the foundation for a methodology applicable across the entire North African region. After defining ten different criteria, these are spatially analysed and then prioritized according to different experts’ preferences, so that a final suitability map is obtained.

The added value of the study is the inclusion of social and geopolitical criteria in this kind of assessments, often focused on technoeconomic parameters alone.