A Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Industries in Africa took place at the UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna on Tuesday, 8th December against the background of the combined effects of climate change, the continued volatility of fuel prices and global economic turbulence which have triggered a sense of urgency among policy makers, industries and development practitioners to find sustainable viable solutions in the area of biofuels.  

The Roundtable was organised in recognition of the fact that the development of biofuels in Africa offers a number of significant benefits, especially for the forty-two African countries who are net oil importers, with many benefits including increasing access to clean energy for previously unserved areas, transforming rural economies through value addition in agriculture, reforestation of arid areas, creation of jobs in local production and power generation and the chance to participate in the growing international trade in biofuels. 

Notable participants at the roundtable were His Excellency Mizengo Pinda (Prime Minister of Tanzania), His Excellency Pakalitha Mosisili (Prime Minister of Lesotho), and His Excellency Raila Odinga (Prime Minister of Kenya).  Mr Kandeh Yumkella (Director General of UNIDO) also participated and the guest of honour was Mr Jean Ping (Chairman of the African Union Commission).

Prof Abeeku Brew-Hammond (Acting Director of The Energy Center, KNUST) gave the Keynote Address in which he highlighted the unique opportunity offered by biofuels in Africa.

Mr Francis Kemausuor of The Energy Center, KNUST and Mr Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo of the Ministry of Energy also participated from Ghana.

The Moderator for the Roundtable was Mr Todd Benjamin, Former International Financial Editor at the Cable News Network (CNN).

To download pdf versions of Prof Brew-Hammond’s Keynote Address please click hereand for his PowerPoint Presentation, click here.

For more information on the UNIDO Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Industries in Africa please click here.