Africa can utilize its vast, unused arable land to produce biofuel, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. A recent milestone was achieved when Virgin Atlantic flew a Boeing 787 Dreamliner powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from plant matter, or biofuel. This historic flight across the Atlantic proves that biofuel can significantly reduce carbon emissions from aviation, which is crucial as electric alternatives are not currently feasible for airplanes due to weight restrictions.
While road and rail transportation are gradually transitioning to electric power, the aviation industry still heavily relies on fossil fuel. This highlights the importance of finding sustainable alternatives to mitigate the environmental impact. Africa, with its abundant arable land resources, should explore the potential of biofuel production to address aviation-induced global warming.
Rather than simply asking Africa to set aside land for clean fuel production, it is essential for African leaders and the African Union to realize the significant economic opportunities associated with biofuel. Some may argue that producing enough SAF to fuel all airplanes globally would require a substantial amount of land. However, history has repeatedly shown that skeptics can be proven wrong. Just like those who once believed that machines heavier than air could never fly, advancements have been made that surpassed expectations.
Consider the implications of Africa not utilizing its fertile, idle land for biofuel production. The skies are congested with over 45,000 flights daily, emitting harmful gases that contribute to global warming. The United States government aims to produce three billion gallons of SAF by 2030, a significant increase from the current global production of around 30 million gallons reported by the International Air Transport Association. However, achieving this target within six years seems unlikely, indicating a substantial demand that cannot be met by America alone.
Some argue that land should be used exclusively for food production rather than biofuel cultivation. However, the reality is that much of Africa’s arable land is not currently utilized for either purpose. By capitalizing on this untapped potential, Africa can generate revenue and employment opportunities through the production of clean aviation fuel.
One of the benefits of biofuel is that milling factories can be established near the cultivation sites, eliminating the need to transport large quantities of plant matter for fuel extraction. This means that jobs can be created both on the farms themselves and during the conversion process. For example, approximately 100 people could be employed on a single square mile of a biofuel farm, with an additional 100 workers involved in converting the plant matter into fuel.
But which crops would be suitable for biofuel production in Africa? The region’s East African countries possess ideal conditions for growing crops such as sugar cane, maize, and jatropha. Sugar cane, which often lacks a market for its primary product, sugar, could find new value as a feedstock for biofuel. Maize, currently facing rejection due to aflatoxin contamination, could be repurposed for biofuel production. Similarly, jatropha, often cultivated to support other plants like vanilla, could be more widely utilized for its biofuel potential.
Establishing national biofuel initiatives on idle lands would not only help produce fuel for aviation but also create opportunities for further energy generation. After extracting fuel from the crops, the remaining biomass could be used to generate electricity, as demonstrated in the sugar industry. By integrating biofuel milling with electricity generation, the produced energy could power ground transportation, such as railways and charging stations for electric vehicles. This efficient use of resources is particularly essential considering the wastage of electricity in countries where half of the generated energy from water dams goes unused due to inadequate consumption or storage capacity.
The argument against using land for biofuel production instead of food falls flat when considering that Africa has the potential to increase yields through improved farming techniques. With proper agricultural practices, the same plot of land could simultaneously produce both food and fuel, addressing the concerns around land allocation.
Rather than solely relying on climate funds from external sources, Africa has an opportunity to make a profit by cultivating clean aviation fuel. The demand for biofuel is projected to remain high for the foreseeable future, creating a sustainable source of income.
By utilizing its idle arable land for biofuel production, Africa can contribute to saving the Earth from the detrimental effects of aviation-induced global warming. While skeptics may cast doubt on the feasibility of such endeavors, history has demonstrated that advancements unforeseen by the wisest minds can shape the world. Africa has the potential to lead the way in sustainable aviation fuel production, benefiting both its economy and the global fight against climate change.
