(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) U.S. Grains Council staff, alongside agribusiness and producer members, recently had the privilege of participating on the USDA agriculture trade mission (ATM) to East Africa. Held in both Nairobi, Kenya, and Zanzibar, Tanzania, the ATM is an example of the USDA’s commitment to expanding and diversifying
Tanzania
(MoneyWeb) … Projects currently earmarked for inclusion in the IPO portfolio are: – Current waste-to-energy projects in South Africa and the UK – All biofuel projects, inclusive of utility-scale projects in Tanzania, Botswana and Mozambique (Note: Projects in Tanzania, Botswana and Mozambique refer to the historic coal-power projects currently the
(U.S. Department of Energy) DOE Seeks Public Input on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program for Clean Energy Projects That Will Help Revitalize Energy Communities and Create Good Paying Jobs — The Biden Administration through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Request For Information (RFI) to inform a $500 million program funded by
(Intellecap) Based on the aspiration to support enterprises and build the waste sector in East Africa, BESTSELLER FOUNDATION in collaboration with Intellecap Africa launched the Waste to Value Challenge in December 2019. The Challenge was launched across four countries; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, and received over 400 applications out of
by Matthew Capuano-Rizzo (Leaders in Energy) … In an Oxford University study, Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglize outlined how government spending on low-carbon industries and activities would better benefit the economy in the short and long term than bailing out the fossil fuel industry. City leaders from Los Angeles to Lisbon, São
(United Nations Industrial Development Organization) The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and its partners initiated the roll-out of 500,000 ethanol cook stoves to households in various wards of Dar es Salaam. Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner for Ilala, the District Administrative Secretary expressed appreciation for the joint efforts
by Marta Gomez San Juan, Anne Bogdanski and Olivier Dubois (Food and Agricultural Organization) … )T)his report offers lessons from 26 case studies of sustainable bioeconomy interventions from around the world and from a range of different sectors. The overall aim of the report is to use these case studies to expand the general understanding of
(DFDS/MASH Energy/Globe Newswire) DFDS is investing in the start-up company MASH Energy ApS that produces biofuel from agricultural waste, currently from the by-products of nut processing in Tanzania and India. The biofuel is CO2 neutral and can be used in ships. In addition, the residual product is an effective fertiliser and will
by Danilo De Oliveira Pereira (United National Industrial Development Organization) UNIDO is implementing a programme which creates value chains of clean cooking fuels and technologies in several countries. With a “market enabling framework,” the organization is turning the lack of clean cooking fuels into an economic opportunity to incubate new industries manufacturing
by Moses Michira (Standard Digital) Kenya’s illegal ethanol importation scam is turning to be a deadly business that enjoys protection from the high and mighty, multiple interviews with people involved have revealed. So daring are the players in the scam that even some police are split, with a faction working for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Michael Wild, from Wild & Partner LLC and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of the torrefaction process, implementation indicators, understanding the product, energy balance and GHG comparisons, and more. READ MORE
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Tanzania, UNIDO is promoting a project to roll out the use of ethanol clean cookstoves in an effort to reduce charcoal use for cooking. The Global Environment Fund project will see 110,000 stoves distributed amongst 500,000 families in the greater urban area while promoting local private
by Jieyi Lu (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Today, about three billion people still cook and heat their homes with traditional stoves and solid fuels worldwide. These fuels and stoves are major contributors to household air pollution in the developing world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), household air pollution
by Jeff Mulhollem (Penn State News) Agroforestry could play an important role in mitigating climate change because it sequesters more atmospheric carbon in plant parts and soil than conventional farming, according to Penn State researchers. An agricultural system that combines trees with crops and livestock on the same plot of land, agroforestry
by ShivikaMittal, Erik O.Ahlgren and P.R.Shukla (Energy Policy) -Barriers hindering biogas dissemination in urban and rural biogas systems are identified. -Decomposition and logical problem analysis tools are used for assessment. -Key areas of improvements in existing policies are identified. Biogas has emerged as a promising renewable technology to convert agricultural, animal, industrial and
by Louisa Burwood-Taylor (AgFunderNews) “A lot of what’s needed in African agriculture is quite low-tech if tech at all,” says Gary Vaughan-Smith, chief investment officer at SilverStreet Capital, the agribusiness private equity firm. SilverStreet has been investing in African agriculture since 2011 when it held the first close of its first $320 million
by Susan van Dyk, Emile van Zyl, Brett Pletschke (International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 39) This short contribution provides some perspectives on opportunities for biofuel production on the African continent. Africa has a large land base, with only 27% of its arable land currently utilised. High level assessments, such as by the
Pius Rugonzibwa In Mwanza (Daily News) The production of cassava in the country has received a major boost after the government recently signed a deal with a Chinese firm worth over 2.5trl/- aimed at commercialising its farming. — Opening the annual review and planning meeting of the African Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) here
by Kieron Monks (CNN) Croton nut may be ideal fuel with high oil and protein concentration; Leading producers are expanding rapidly; Analysts say croton avoid ethical issues of other biofuels — The Croton megalocarpus tree is common throughout much of East and Central Africa, and until now it has been used for little
(Dow AgroSciences/Business Wire) Dow AgroSciences, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University and Agriculture Victoria Working Together on Essential African Root Crop — More productive cassava plants, a root crop that is foundational for food security in Africa, will be made possible by an agreement between Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of
by Gerald Andae (Business Daily Africa) Mumias has been importing molasses — the raw material used in ethanol production — from Uganda for over eight months now but, has now extended this to Tanzania. The loss-making sugar miller operates an ethanol plant with the capacity to produce 120,000 litres every
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuels operations under the right conditions can lead to improved household food security in developing countries, concludes a new study. Irish university research is adding to the body of knowledge about the impact biofuels production has on food security in Africa. Stephen Thornhill, research
(Oxfam) The European Union must overhaul its current bioenergy policy, which is based on getting fuel from plants, because the industry is linked to the eviction of thousands of people from their lands, out-competing food crops, and creating more not less pollution, says Oxfam. A new Oxfam report today (October 26,
by Kennedy Senelwa (AllAfrica) Lack of common standards for blending ethanol with petrol is limiting East Africa’s ability to use biofuels in reducing the carbon emissions from fossil fuels in the transport sector. The growing demand for petroleum products among the East Africa Community (EAC) member countries has seen a
by Robert Sanders (UC Berkeley/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new analysis of the genetic diversity of cassava will help improve strategies for breeding disease resistance and climate tolerance into the root crop, a staple and major source of calories for a billion people worldwide. Published online April 18 in Nature Biotechnology, the UC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In South Africa, the Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with Southern and East Africa (EEP S&EA) is seeking high-quality applications for projects in the two regions that can contribute to the reduction of poverty by promoting inclusive and job-creating green economy and by improving energy security
(merinews) … Giving the intensity of debate of food versus fuel debate, Naziz (Mintz-Habib)’s fascinating study explores how and in what circumstances Biofuel crops contribute to either perpetuating or alleviating poverty and food in security by considering the complex interactions among agricultural commodity and energy markets, climate change mitigating finance
by Shelagh Whitley and Laurie van der Burg (New Climate Economy) The research underpinning this New Climate Economy Working Paper was a major input into the 2015 New Climate Economy report and articulates the practical steps that policymakers can take to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The paper reinforces the recommendations
by Paul Wafula (Standard Digital News) A sting operation conducted at Mumias Sugar Company premises has uncovered an elaborate network through which some of the firm’s employees have been colluding with rogue Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials to defraud the company by under-declaring the quantities of ethanol for export and
by Terence Creamer (Engineering News) … For Illovo, meanwhile, electricity generation forms part of a larger downstream diversification strategy, designed to lower the group’s reliance on sugar prices. Besides power, the JSE-listed group is also moving to expand its ethanol production in South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Swaziland, while producing a
(Biofuels International) Agro EcoEnergy has invested $550 million (€400 million) in sugarcane farming for an ethanol project. The subsidiary of Swedish based EcoEnergy Africa AB has set up a special purpose project company, Bagamoyo EcoEnergy, to develop a modern sugarcane plantation and factory that produces sugar, ethanol and power for
by Anna Locke and Giles Henley (Overseas Development Institute) • People worry that using crop-based biofuels to increase the volume of low-carbon fuels could worsen hunger in poor countries by pushing up global food prices and endangering local food security. • ODI research finds that existing evidence does not allow us to state categorically
by Gerald Andae (Business Daily Africa) The Kenya Sugar Board asks firms to start ethanol and electricity production in next two years. Private and State-owned sugar millers that will not have started electricity generation and ethanol production in the next two years risk losing their licences, the sector regulator
(SG Biofuels/Biodiesel Magazine) …Through the use of new genetic technologies, SGB’s scientists have revealed that the company’s germplasm collection can be divided into a number of distinct heterotic clades, or genetically related groupings of plants. In contrast to previous studies, these findings confirm significant genetic diversity in jatropha while enabling SGB
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, PANGEA (Partners for Euro African Green Energy) is launching today a booklet outlining Myths and Facts about Bioenergy in Africa. The brochure is intended to demystify the manipulated data and misinformation that is often used to describe bioenergy in sub-Saharan Africa. The
by Justus Ochieng (AllAfrica) THE Kisumu molasses plant will outsource for raw materials from Uganda and Tanzania to continue its operations. Insufficient supply of molasses has derailed operations at the company. The plant had been closed for some few Weeks due to inadequate supply of the commodity. Outgoing Managing Director

Workshop on Sustainable Biomass Production in South-East Africa March 19-21, 2013 Maputo, Mozambique
The workshop is organised by NL Agency with the support of WIP Renewable Energies. The objective is to discuss and share experiences on current initiatives for the development of sound frameworks for bioenergy in African countries. Results of recent and on-going projects funded through the Global Sustainable Biomass Programme and
by Gerald Kitabu (IPP Media) The government of Tanzania has been urged to localise biofuel commercial production by empowering small farmers in terms of training, loans and marketing. The call was made by Tanzanian researchers and scientists during a recent visit to Zimbabwe where they saw for themselves how non-
by Ashery Mkama (AllAfrica.com) Villagers from Kilwa and Rufiji districts have requested the government to involve them in implementation of bio-fuel projects and investments in which huge tracts of land is used. They told members of the Journalists’ Environment Association of Tanzania (JET) who visited the area recently that
(IPPMedia/The Guardian Reporter) The government has been urged to reduce the maximum land size of each bio-fuel developer from the proposed 20,000 ha to 10,000 ha and give investors conditions which would enable them deliver. Speaking during a two-day workshop which was convened to comment on the proposed policy recently
by David Cronin (New Europe Online) …The production of biofuels is a central factor behind the grabbing of land in Africa. Yet rather than using food crops, many of the players in this murky game have recently chosen jatropha, a poison, as the fuel source for the SUVs congesting our
(JOil) • Tamil Nadu sites achieve first-year flowering in three months and first harvest in five months • Field trials now being conducted in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia JOil (S) Pte. Ltd., a scientific bioenergy crop developer of a new generation of jatropha, has achieved first-year yields in
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) As a potential substitute for fossil fuels, wood energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. FAO’s programme on wood energy promotes sustainable wood energy systems as a contribution to sustainable forest management, livelihoods and food security. To this end, FAO and the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 31
by Kevin Kelley (The East African) A leading US environmental group is opposing the planned purchase of 325,000 hectares of land in Tanzania by an American company. …Opponents charge that the deal amounts to a “land grab” that would result in the displacement of 160,000 refugees from Burundi, some of
by Damian Carrington (The Guardian/The Observer) The collapse of Sun Biofuels has left hundreds of Tanzanians landless, jobless, and in despair for the future “People feel this is like the return of colonialism,” says Athumani Mkambala, chairman of Mhaga village in rural Tanzania. “Colonialism in the form of investment.” A quarter of the
(Netzwerk Biotriebstoffe News) Biofuel production is booming. Worldwide, production of ethanol for fuel has almost quintupled since 2000, while that of biodiesel has risen by almost 25 times. This is, in part, a response to policies to replace fossil fuels for transport with renewable fuels — in practice, biofuels. Subsidies and
by Finnigan Wa Simbeye (AllAfrica.com) An ambitious biodiesel project which was allocated over 8,000 hectares of land by Kisarawe district officials in 2008 is in trouble. Employees and casual workers of Sun Biofuels Plc, told Business Standard last weekend that work at Kisarawe jatropha farm came to a halt last
(The Daily News) THE government has been warned against allocating over 320,000 hectares of prime land in Rukwa Region to an American agro-firm, Agrisol Energy, which is seeking to undertake large scale commercial farming for food, livestock, and jatropha for biofuel. Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Meshack
(AllAfrica.com) The Muheza District-based Mlingano Agriculture Research Institute (ARI-Mlingano) is set to undertake a sisal characterisation programme aimed at developing a protocol for the production of ethanol and citric acid from liquid effluents. The programme which would be executed under the proposed ten-year Sisal Crop Development Plan (2011-2020) would characterise
by Joao Peixe (OilPrice.com) The bio-ethanol gel is an alternative biofuel developed by Consumer’s Choice Limited to reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported petroleum. …Consumer’s Choice Limited developed a bio-ethanol gel made from molasses derived from sugarcane. Kadhi noted, “During the sugar extraction process, molasses is derived as one of the
by Niki Moore (Bloomberg) Illovo Sugar Ltd. (ILV), Africa’s largest producer of the sweetener, plans to start making potable ethanol from molasses in Tanzania by 2013, Managing Director Graham Clark said. “We have created an opportunity in Tanzania to produce ethanol from molasses” he said in an interview at the company’s
(AllAfrica/The Citizen) Tanzania is set to import ethanol from Brazil in its bid to lower fuel prices by 10 per cent. This was said in Dar es Salaam over the weekend by Mr Leo Lyayuka, a senior principle marketing officer at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) during a media
by Damian Carrington and Stefano Valentino (The Guardian) British firms have acquired more land in Africa for controversial biofuel plantations than companies from any other country, a Guardian investigation has revealed. Half of the 3.2m hectares (ha) of biofuel land identified – in countries from Mozambique to Senegal – is linked to 11
(AllAfrica.com) Jatropha should not replace any crops in arable farms and instead should be cultivated by smallholder farmers as hedges for farms, an expert has warned. Pamoja Inc Co-Director Jonathan Otto said in Dar es Salaam recently that jatropha as a source of energy for communities is receiving bad media
by Michael Haonga (IPP Media/The Guardian) Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to sustain a multi-faceted strategy for harnessing power from various sources, including biofuel, to cover any shortfall. The assurance was made in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday by Minister for Energy and Minerals William Ngeleja at a function to
(The Citizen Reporter) Tanzania urgently needs to put in place a policy framework to guide biofuel crops production and stave off the danger of serious food shortages in communities around biofuel plantations, a new study has warned. “The government of is on the forefront encouraging the production of biofuels. However, there
by Beatrice Philamon (IPP Media) Tanzanian and Brazilian experts are expected to carry out a countrywide survey to identify and propose strategic areas that would be allocated for biofuel farming. “Our intention is to have special areas or land that will be used for biofuel development or farming in the country,”
(EurekAlert) Policies needed to address potential conflicts, but report views bioenergy as crucial to ‘unlocking Africa’s latent potential’. Crops can be produced for bioenergy on a significant scale in west, eastern and southern Africa without doing damage to food production or natural habitats, according to a report produced by the
(China Economic Net) A huge potential for producing biofuels is expected in Tanzania without hampering the cultivation of food crops, according to a new study. Conducted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently, the study observed that the country’s land is highly suitable for cultivation of the cassava
(AllAfrica.com) Sun Biofuels, a British firm that has invested in jatropha plantations in Tanzania, envisages offering full time employment to 1,500 Tanzanians in its jatropha biofuel project at Kisarawe. Of the 1,500 people, 400 are already in the full time employment with the rest being taken in gradually as the