African Development Bank, JGC sign agreement to advance SAF

From left, Quaynor and Yamada. (Photo: African Development Bank)

The African Development Bank announced Oct. 2 that it has recently signed an agreement with JGC Corp., a leading Japanese engineering company, to explore cooperation in the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Africa.

The two parties signed a letter of intent (LOI) to this effect on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, which concluded in late August.

Solomon Quaynor, an executive with the African Development Bank, and Shoji Yamada with JGC signed the agreement Aug. 21 in Yokohama.

The LOI establishes a framework for cooperation between the two institutions to jointly promote development, information and knowledge sharing, and to explore cofinancing opportunities for SAF and other green-aviation solutions in Africa.

The production and adoption of SAF in Africa is consistent with the bank’s sustainable transport and mobility and energy-transition strategy.

The cooperation with JGC will include undertaking of demand and feasibility studies for production and adoption of Japanese technology to Africa in this regard. 

Under the agreement, the African Development Bank will facilitate coordination and dialogue with public-sector aviation stakeholders, identify potential project pipelines and explore possible financing options, including feasibility-study support and promoting global partnership around the concept in Africa, as well as debt/equity financing.

JGC will conduct demand studies for SAF in African markets, perform technical feasibility assessments, evaluate deployment opportunities tailored to local resources and infrastructure, and harness and facilitate Japanese-technology adoption to Africa.

“Adopting SAF in Africa is a crucial component of the journey to cutting the continent’s carbon-dioxide emissions,” Quaynor commented. “Moreover, it should boost the competitiveness of the sector over time. This partnership with JGC will help unlock new opportunities for green aviation and position Africa as a pacesetter in the sector.”

Yamada added, “We are proud to collaborate with the African Development Bank in advancing SAF in Africa. 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.”