Ethiopia has formally begun positioning itself as a producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) following the conclusion of a national feasibility study which confirmed that the country has both the land and renewable energy capacity for supplying the emerging global aviation fuel market.
During a multi-stakeholder validation workshop held in Addis Ababa’s Skylight Hotel on Thursday November 27, experts presenting the feasibility study told officials and industry representatives that Ethiopia could produce low-carbon aviation fuel using local agricultural crops, municipal waste, sugar byproducts and renewable energy sources.
The findings were presented to senior representatives from the ministries of Transport and Logistics, Agriculture, the Civil Aviation Authority, universities and private investors during a final validation workshop attended by international consultants and donors, including the European Union, which funded the study through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The feasibility study launched in December 2024 with a national workshop and followed by field consultations and a March 2025 stakeholder conference, where Ethiopian officials engaged with technical experts to review data and evaluate business readiness for domestic SAF production.
From The Reporter Magazine
The research built on three previous studies including a 2019 WWF-South Africa assessment and two Ethiopian roadmap and feasibility studies conducted in 2021 and 2022, which first identified Ethiopian mustard as a viable aviation fuel crop.
Lead consultant John McKechnie stated that Ethiopia was selected for deeper analysis because of its agricultural base, expanding industrial capacity and unexploited renewable energy resources, which together position the country strategically in Africa’s energy transition.
Researchers confirmed that more than 30 million hectares of Ethiopian land are suitable for cultivating Ethiopian mustard without interfering with food production, making it one of the most promising non-food crops identified for sustainable aviation fuel feedstock.
From The Reporter Magazine
Field trials already show the crop can be produced at scale, though further research is required to determine how national production can be expanded to serve commercial aviation demand.
Officials acknowledged challenges related to logistics and supply chains, noting that Ethiopia’s farmers are geographically dispersed and current transport infrastructure makes bulk feedstock collection difficult.
The study examined multiple production routes including alcohol-to-jet fuel derived from sugar molasses, waste-to-fuel systems using municipal landfill material, and electricity-based fuels derived from renewable sources.
Ethiopia’s sugar sector already has an annual ethanol production capacity of approximately 32.5 million liters, though current output remains constrained due to competition from food and beverage manufacturers willing to pay higher prices.
Municipal waste presented a dual opportunity allowing the country to simultaneously address urban waste problems while generating clean aviation fuel, according to the technical team.
Electricity-based fuel production was identified as one of Ethiopia’s strongest long-term options due to its high renewable energy potential, offering a future route for hydrogen-based synthetic fuel manufacturing.
Power-to-liquid technology is projected to be certified between mid-2026 and late-2026, placing Ethiopia within range of early commercial adoption provided investment mobilization begins promptly.
Consultants acknowledged current market prices for sustainable aviation fuel are roughly double conventional jet fuel rates, though they expect long-term costs to fall once production maturity is achieved.
An international benchmark drawn from India revealed that mandatory aviation fuel blending will begin at one percent in 2027 and rise to five percent by 2030.
Experts warned airlines that regulatory pressure will intensify across international airspace, with compliance becoming unavoidable by 2030 if Ethiopian carriers are to maintain global competitiveness.
The government confirmed the formation of a national technical committee on sustainable aviation fuel and announced plans to establish a project office staffed by aviation and energy specialists in the coming weeks.
Officials stated development partners would be invited to finance the project office and assist in converting research findings into industrial investment programs. Transport Ministry officials reiterated that aviation alone accounts for a large share of global emissions and that Ethiopia has committed to carbon-reduction targets under international climate agreements.
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