The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Japan’s JGC Corporation have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Africa, the Bank said in a statement on Friday.
The deal, formalised through a Letter of Intent signed on August 21 in Yokohama on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), aims to accelerate the continent’s transition to cleaner aviation fuels and support green growth across the transport sector.
Under the agreement, the AfDB and JGC will promote information exchange, undertake demand and feasibility studies, and explore co-financing opportunities for SAF and other green aviation projects. The move aligns with the Bank’s sustainable transport and energy transition strategy, the statement said.
“Adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Africa is a crucial component of the journey to cutting the continent’s carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, it should boost the competitiveness of the sector over time,” said Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization.
“This partnership with JGC will help unlock new opportunities for green aviation and position Africa as a pacesetter in the sector,” he added.
JGC Corporation, a Japanese engineering and construction firm, will conduct demand assessments, perform technical feasibility studies, and explore the adaptation of Japanese SAF technology to African markets.
“We are proud to collaborate with the African Development Bank in advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Africa,” said Shoji Yamada, JGC’s President. “By leveraging our experience in plant engineering and sustainable energy, we aim to contribute to Africa’s decarbonization efforts while fostering local economic growth and innovation.”
The AfDB will coordinate with public-sector aviation stakeholders, identify potential project pipelines and financing options, and promote partnerships around sustainable aviation initiatives on the continent.
Sustainable aviation fuel, derived from renewable sources such as plant oils, waste materials, and captured carbon, has gained traction globally as airlines and governments seek to cut emissions. Africa’s entry into the market could help reduce its reliance on imported jet fuel while advancing regional climate goals.
JGC, founded in 1928 and headquartered in Yokohama, has expanded its business into renewable energy and sustainable fuels. The AfDB, Africa’s main development finance institution, operates in 41 African countries and supports industrialization and infrastructure development across its 54 regional member states.
(Source: African Development Bank Group – AfDB)
