Graphical illustration indicating a pristine environment and vegetation must be sustained while aviation continues to soar
The global aviation community has been reminded that access to funds and adequate training will enhance the quick adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF, in Africa, thus bringing about a drastic reduction of aviation-induced carbon monoxide (CO2) emissions in Africa and Asia.
Capt Chris Najomo, Director General Civil Aviation, DGCA, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, stressed the opinion at a high-level regional workshop on Access to Finance for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production held in Lagos.
Najomo, who was represented by the South West Regional Director of NCAA, Barr Bukola Teriba, argued that unfettered access to funding is of critical importance to SAF Production Pojects, as well as it’s importance in reducing the environmental impact of aviation, which aligns with ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) on net zero carbon emission by 2050.
The event was organized by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under the Assistance, Capacity Building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Africa–India Project.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from 14 African countries, international financial institutions, and SAF project developers to address investment challenges, risk mitigation, and project bankability on SAF.
The Nigeria Engagement on SAF was held on the last two (2) days, with focus on Nigeria’s domestic roadmap.
The major highlight was the official inauguration of six (6) Technical Working Groups (TWGs) by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo.
The Working Groups inaugurated were, the Policy and Regulation, Feedstock and Production, Funding and investment Technology, Innovation, Environmental and Social Impact, Infrastructure and logistics.
The TWGs was mandated to guide Nigeria’s SAF development across policy, feedstock, infrastructure, finance, sustainability, and technology.
The engagement was a clear testimony of a major step in Nigeria’s transition towards the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
The five-day hybrid workshop, with the theme: “Access to Finance for SAF Production,” commenced in Lagos on the 5th and 9th of May 2025.
The key objectives of the hybrid workshop tagged ACT-SAF EU – African Indian Project (Part II) confronted the realities from SAF Project Developers and Financiers; discussed different de-risking strategies and the role of all actors in achieving viable SAF production in Africa.
Others included enhancing the understanding of SAF Direct Supply Line and its (financial) assessment tools; share the best practices in sourcing of finance; identifying and mapping key stakeholders in the finance space; and discussed available financial instruments in support of SAF development.
Participants were drawn from 14 African countries, including representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), EU delegations to Nigeria and WACAF, other international organizations, industry stakeholders and partners.
The workshop was coordinated by the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations of the NCAA.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an alternative fuel to traditional jet fuel, produced from non-fossil sources like used cooking oil and agricultural waste. It’s a crucial part of the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero goals.
SAF can be blended with traditional jet fuel without requiring changes to aircraft or engines, and can reduce life-cycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80%.
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