Ghana possesses significant potential to establish a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry capable of contributing to international aviation’s net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, according to a seven-month feasibility study conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The study found that Ghana’s abundant agricultural residues, existing refining infrastructure and strong regional trade linkages place it in a favourable position to develop a viable SAF sector. Presenting findings at a stakeholder workshop in Accra, ICAO Independent Consultant Damiana Serafini said that while the potential is clear, significant challenges around feedstock mobilisation, cost competitiveness, institutional coordination and long-term sustainability safeguards remain. A key logistical hurdle is that agricultural feedstocks are dispersed across the country, making it difficult to attract investors.
Serafini called on stakeholders to explore how Ghana could transform its agricultural sector into an energy-generating sector, where residues from food production serve as value-added inputs for SAF production. She called for coordinated action across multiple sectors to realise the vision.
The Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Reverend Stephen Wilfred Arthur, described the study as a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey toward a greener aviation sector, noting that the transition from feasibility to implementation would require robust regulatory frameworks — including SAF certification processes, quality assurance systems and integration into existing fuel supply chains — harmonised with ICAO guidance. The GCAA affirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, and industry stakeholders to craft enabling policies.
Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh