Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya have formalized a memorandum of understanding to construct Africa’s inaugural manufacturing facility dedicated entirely to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Estimated to cost between $70.5 million and $82.2 million, the specialized facility is projected to manufacture 32,000 metric tons of eco-friendly fuel each year. The strategic complex is slated for development near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, positioning it directly at Kenya’s primary international travel hub and largest fuel consumption center. The bilateral agreement was finalized during an official state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Kenyan President William Ruto, underlining a mutual desire to strengthen economic and ecological alliances between France and African nations.
This historic initiative marks a dramatic shift for the continent’s aerospace industry, which historically depended on imported biofuels, small experimental trials, or foreign certification programs rather than localized, commercial-scale production. By generating its own cleaner alternatives from renewable feedstocks instead of traditional Jet A1 crude oil, the region can lessen its reliance on volatile foreign supply chains while curbing lifecycle carbon emissions. For the domestic carrier, the joint venture promises to alleviate substantial operating expenditures over the long term. Concurrently, the deal cements France’s commercial presence in regional clean energy transitions, placing the East African nation at the forefront of the global movement toward sustainable air transport.
AfBAA Chair, Dawit Lemma stated, “Expanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production capacity within Africa is a major step forward for the continent’s aviation ecosystem. While business aviation SAF availability across Africa remains limited today, developments such as this create important foundations for greater accessibility, regional energy resilience, and long-term decarbonisation across all sectors of aviation. AfBAA strongly supports collaborative initiatives that advance sustainability while also strengthening African aviation infrastructure, workforce development, and operational capability.”
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel, but with a smaller carbon footprint. SAF, which is made from renewable biomass and waste-based feedstocks, can be used in all existing turbine aircraft, and reduces aviation lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by as much as 80%.
