Rural Cameroon to Explore Bioethanol as Economic Driver

(ESI Africa) ... Establishing a ‘sustainable industry within the community’ remains the key theme for newly formed energy and agriculture group, Wesaf Energy, who are exploring this growing market. The founders have identified ethanol, a bi-product of sugarcane, as a reliable and sustainable feedstock, which will be a huge driver for local content.

The firm has set up a pilot project in the rural village of Inokun in the Manyu Division of South West Cameroon, which is the first of many to be installed in rural communities in the region.

The self-sufficiency of sugarcane ethanol plants from bagasse means that we can eliminate any utility cost as a conscious drive to keep operating costs low – being profitable, low maintenance and efficient are ultimately our main goals.

The firm has explored the use of ethanol stoves and has collaborated with west and east African company in regards to the provision of ethanol stoves in Cameroon. These low cost clean burning stoves would be the perfect alternative to firewood burning, which has adverse effects on health.

It is estimated that 1 litre of ethanol will last for between 5-7 hours on one of the stoves and Wesaf would aim to supply both the stoves and the ethanol at affordable costs for inhabitants of rural communities.

Through the Wesaf co-operative farming association, out growers programmes for sugarcane for ethanol production will be set up.

This method has been implemented successfully by the Kakira sugar company in Uganda who boast an out growers network of nearly 3,000 farmers providing cane for the plant. READ MORE