Kenya Chosen for Ksh23T Fuel Initiative
Kenya is among the three African nations chosen to pilot the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as part of a European Union (EU)-backed initiative.
Reuters reports that Kenya, along with South Africa and Ethiopia, will benefit from the EU’s Ksh23 trillion infrastructure expenditure, which is seen as a competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa.
The Global Gateway Infrastructure Fund of the European Union is investing in SAF in anticipation of a surge in demand for environmentally sustainable aviation travel.
According to the International Air Transport Association, demand for SAF will reach 450 billion liters annually by 2050.
This will place Kenya at the forefront of the global production of clean aircraft fuel, generating billions of dollars in revenue for the country.
Reuters explained how Kenya will benefit from the fund: “The fund has already supported renewable plants, green hydrogen initiatives, vaccines, and education projects in Africa, and an official said it is now looking into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).”
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As the EU is already pressing for emission reduction goals that will require airlines to use more SAF, the market for SAF will be abundant.
The EU chose Kenya in particular and Africa in general due to its enormous tracts of underutilized agricultural land.
Multinational corporations from Germany and Italy have already initiated biofuel investments in Africa.
The EU’s long-term goal is to establish SAF production plants in eleven African countries and India. Initially, the initiative will primarily benefit the three countries.
SAFs are low-carbon fuel alternatives for the aviation industry and can be derived from a variety of feedstocks, including cereals.
“The Commission is examining potential co-financing mechanisms and guarantee instruments within the context of the Global Gateway.” The production of SAF on the African continent has tremendous potential, according to a statement from a European Commission spokesperson, Stefan De Keersmaecker.
Kenya Chosen for Ksh23T Fuel Initiative
