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Africa’s growing air travel demand and biofuel production potential are positioning the continent as an emerging player in the global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) landscape. At the same time, the Middle East’s strategic investments in SAF production and innovative feedstocks highlight the region’s role in advancing aviation decarbonization.
Air travel in Africa increased by 10.4% in October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, prompting airlines to expand capacity by 5.8%, according to latest data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
While Africa represents only 2.1% of global aviation activity, its growing demand underscores the urgent need for SAF adoption to address emissions and create economic opportunities.
South Africa, in particular, has significant SAF production potential. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) study estimates the country could produce 3.2-4.5 billion liters of SAF annually, more than double its domestic aviation fuel demand of 1.8 billion liters.
“Most SAFs are projected to be made from biomass, and biomass is everywhere. This gives you a unique opportunity,” SAF producer CleanJoule’s chief executive officer Mukund Karanjikar told Fastmarkets during an interview in October.
“As every country technically can produce biomass, and biomass grows in rural areas where economic opportunities are few. This is not for entrepreneurs. It is such a huge opportunity at a country level that policy makers need to not be short-sighted and need to invest their time and their money,” Karanjikar added.
Feedstocks like sugarcane by-products and biomass from invasive alien plants (IAPs) are key resources for SAF production, offering additional environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and water security.
But realizing this potential will require significant investments in green hydrogen capabilities, a critical component for advanced SAF production processes like power-to-liquid technology.
IATA has urged South Africa to leverage its existing industrial infrastructure to accelerate SAF production, though specifics on which infrastructure could be repurposed remain unclear.
Beyond South Africa, African countries face challenges such as limited access to financing and inadequate infrastructure. These issues hinder the development of SAF production facilities, feedstock supply chains, and export capabilities.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), overcoming these barriers will require substantial investments and international collaboration.
For example, China’s ongoing investments in Africa’s infrastructure could potentially be redirected to support SAF production, while European nations may view investments in Africa as a way to secure sustainable fuel supplies.
Another challenge is the current export of valuable feedstocks.
A report by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) reveals that South Africa exports millions of liters of used cooking oil (UCO) to Europe for biofuel production.
Utilizing this waste domestically could provide significant economic benefits and support SAF production locally.
The Middle East is emerging as a key player in the development of SAF, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) taking a leading role by integrating SAF into its national aviation strategy.
As part of its General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the UAE aims to produce 700 million liters of SAF annually by 2031. Major regional airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia, are driving this progress.
Emirates, for instance, has partnered with Finnish biofuel producer Neste to secure over 3 million gallons of SAF for flights departing from Amsterdam and Singapore in 2024 and 2025.
Additionally, Shell began supplying SAF at Dubai Airport in 2023, further cementing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable fuel alternatives.
The UAE is also exploring innovative feedstocks, including algae, which are well-suited to the region’s climate. Algae-based SAF production holds promise due to the availability of seawater, abundant sunlight, and large expanses of unused land.
Abu Dhabi’s Algae Research Laboratory and Microbial Environmental and Chemical Engineering Laboratory (MECEL) are actively researching saltwater-tolerant algae strains for biofuel production.
This effort aligns with the broader regional strategy to invest in non-traditional feedstocks for SAF.
Saudi Arabia is also making strides in SAF development as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
Earlier this month, Norwegian firm Nordic Electrofuel announced plans to establish a major e-SAF plant in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail region, approved by the government to produce 350 million liters annually by 2029.
This project will use renewable hydrogen produced in-house and solar photovoltaic (PV) assets developed by partners.
Despite the promising developments, the Middle East faces challenges in scaling up SAF production. Feedstock availability, particularly for advanced fuels like power-to-liquid SAF, remains a key hurdle.
Additionally, the high upfront costs of SAF production facilities and the need for international partnerships to secure funding and expertise are significant barriers. But the region’s aviation sector provides a strong foundation for growth.
The UAE’s established role as a global aviation hub, combined with ongoing investments in SAF infrastructure, positions the country as a potential leader in the industry.
Similarly, partnerships with global SAF producers and technology innovators can help Middle Eastern nations overcome existing challenges and accelerate SAF adoption.
Editor’s note: This article is part of Fastmarkets’ global series on the status of supply and demand for sustainable aviation fuel. For more information, reach out to us today.