By: Kanto Kai Okanta
An
aviation industry consultative meeting focused on Sustainable Aviation Fuels
and Low Carbon Aviation Fuels is underway at the International Air Transport
Association office in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together key
continental institutions, regulators and industry stakeholders.
The
meeting is jointly organised by the African Union Commission, the African Civil
Aviation Commission and the IATA Africa and Middle East Office. Its primary
objective is to support the development of a Policy Guide and harmonised
regulatory framework to guide the development and deployment of SAF and LCAF
across Africa, in line with the continental strategy adopted by the African
Union.
The
consultations are aimed at gathering perspectives and technical inputs from
industry partners to ensure that the proposed policy and regulatory instruments
are practical, aligned with global standards and responsive to Africa’s
aviation and energy realities.
Participants
include representatives from the African Union Commission and AFCAC, as well as
industry organisations such as IATA, the African Airlines Association and
Airports Council International Africa. Civil Aviation Authorities from several
countries, including Eswatini, Cameroon and Zimbabwe, are also in attendance,
alongside airline representatives from Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and
Zambia Airways.
The
meeting further brings together finance and sustainable energy partners,
including CATA Energy and SAF Sustainability, a South African-based company, as
well as other SAF experts. Discussions are expected to address regulatory
alignment, sustainability criteria, financing mechanisms and the role of
industry collaboration in scaling SAF and LCAF production and use across the
continent.
The
outcomes of the consultative meeting are expected to contribute to a coherent
continental approach that supports decarbonisation of Africa’s aviation sector
while strengthening energy security, industrial development and regional
cooperation.
