African Development Bank, JGC partner to advance sustainable aviation fuel in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and JGC Corporation, a leading Japanese engineering company, have taken a major step toward advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in Africa. The two institutions signed a Letter of Intent in Yokohama during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), signaling a shared commitment to greener aviation and energy transition on the continent.

SAF refers to jet fuel derived from renewable sources such as plant oils, waste materials, and captured carbon. It offers a lower-emission alternative to conventional jet fuel and plays a key role in the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

Partnership sets the stage for feasibility studies and technology transfer

Under the agreement, AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization Solomon Quaynor and JGC President Shoji Yamada formalized plans to cooperate on information sharing, demand studies, and joint financing opportunities. The partnership aligns with AfDB’s sustainable transport and mobility strategy, as well as its energy transition agenda.

The Bank will lead coordination with public sector stakeholders, identify project pipelines, and explore financing mechanisms — including support for feasibility studies and potential debt or equity financing. Meanwhile, JGC will conduct market demand assessments, evaluate technical feasibility, and adapt Japanese SAF technologies for African conditions and infrastructure.

Aiming to position Africa as a green aviation leader

Quaynor emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, noting that adopting SAF could help reduce carbon emissions while improving the competitiveness of Africa’s aviation sector. Yamada echoed this sentiment, highlighting JGC’s intent to leverage its expertise in sustainable energy to support Africa’s decarbonization and economic development goals.

By fostering partnerships and technology transfer, the AfDB–JGC collaboration aims to accelerate SAF production across the continent and help position Africa as a pacesetter in green aviation.