A Wave of Demand Heading South
The Sustainable Transport Investment Plan sets a target of twenty million tonnes of renewable fuels by 2035. Meeting that figure will require huge volumes of agricultural residues, waste oils and green hydrogen. European land and renewable electricity are limited, so offtakers are already scanning Africa, where solar irradiation is double the continental average and logistic routes to Mediterranean ports are short.
Opportunity Beyond Feedstock Supply
Historical commodity patterns show that value creation occurs where refining happens. If African governments encourage local upgrading plants rather than simple biomass exports, each tonne of feedstock could generate up to five times more revenue according to work by the African Development Bank. Early signs are positive: Morocco, Namibia and South Africa are mapping integrated hydrogen to e fuel corridors linked to special economic zones.
Building Competitive Advantages
· Large agricultural residue streams offer a low cost carbon source.
· Rapidly expanding renewable power projects can provide cheap electricity for electrolysis.
· Ports like Walvis Bay and Mombasa already handle bulk liquids, simplifying infrastructure upgrades.
An overlooked benefit lies in currency stability. African airlines purchase conventional jet fuel in dollars. Locally produced sustainable fuels priced in domestic currencies would reduce exposure to exchange swings, a financial relief that improves route viability as ticket prices remain under pressure.
Conditions for Success
1. Transparent land use safeguards protecting food security.
2. Long term offtake agreements backed by European importers and multilateral banks.
3. Skills development programs linking universities to pilot projects.
Conclusion
Europes ambitious clean transport agenda is not a distant headline for Africa but a catalyst demanding swift strategic choices. With the right policies, the continent can climb the value chain, secure thousands of skilled jobs and become an indispensable partner in global decarbonisation.