Zimbabwe is exploring the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane and cassava as the government looks to reduce aviation-related carbon emissions and attract investment into the country’s agricultural value chain, reported NewsDay.
The government received a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study report from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) earlier this month. The report outlines a roadmap for establishing a domestic SAF industry.
The latest study builds on a 2023 feasibility assessment that identified 14 potential feedstocks for SAF production. These include sugarcane, cassava, sorghum, jatropha and agricultural residues.
The initiative could create new opportunities for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector by developing alternative markets for crops and agricultural by-products while supporting the country’s efforts to build a sustainable aviation fuel industry.
