R O A D S A N D T R A N S P O R T Africa on the Move: Can we rely on Alternative Fuels?

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila EconomicResearcher/Statistician@ RDJ Consulting

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

Transportation plays a pivotal role in the socioeconomic development of any region, and Africa is no exception With its vast geographical expanse, diverse landscapes, and growing population, the continent faces unique and complex transportation challenges Efficient and reliable transportation systems are crucial for promoting economic growth, improving connectivity, facilitating trade, and enhancing the quality of life for African communities

Africa's transportation needs are multifaceted and require attention at various levels, including infrastructure development, accessibility, affordability, safety, and sustainability The continent encompasses a wide range of transport modes, from road and rail networks to maritime and air transportation Each mode serves specific purposes and must be effectively integrated and optimized to meet the diverse needs of African societies

The current deficiency with regard to high liquid and gaseous fuel prices in Africa at large coupled with limited electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), has made it a necessity to explore alternative sources of energy and fuels Although energy resources are being progressively discovered, they are not equally distributed across the continent

The AfDB reports that 38 out of 53 African countries are currently net oil importers. High and volatile oil prices are thus a challenge for all of Africa; they represent an opportunity to be pursued for exporting countries, but a definite obstacle to be tackled for importing countries What makes it more complicated, is that to minimize the shock of high energy and transport costs, countries tend to pass this on to consumers - usually by increasing public transport fares or the price of final goods. The prices of many other goods and services are also pushed upwards, affecting the poor most severely. Given such economic complexities, it is necessary that importing countries refocus their attention and investments on alternative fuels for both energy security and as an inflation buffer

1

Solar energy and Hydrogen fuel cells

This is not new to Africa. Solar power is derived from the sun and converted into thermal or electrical energy. In Namibia for example, solar and wind power greatly contribute to the total energy produced in the country with levels for the electricity industry alone in excess of 10% But the government has been actively exploring further alternative clean energy sources such as Green Hydrogen which could defintely lead to support for the transport sector as well as others. Significant levels of investments are already being made through ongoing pilot projects across Namibia.

2 Biofuels

Such fuels are usually derived from organic matter often sugarcane or maize which is fermented to produce ethanol Currently, due to its particular nature, ethanol is blended with petroleum to make a cheaper, cleaner-burning fuel. Brazil for example is already using half its sugar crop for this and produces enough ethanol to fuel some 50 percent of the cars running in the country This move in Brazil has made some African governments and companies show interest A good example is D1 Oils Africa, a British bioenergy company, which developed 174 000 hectares of land in Zambia dedicated to crops for the production of biodiesel, a fuel derived from either vegetable or animal oils that is suitable for use in diesel engines.

SustainableAviationFuel SustainableAviationFuels(SAFs)arealternativefuelsthat are specifically designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsfromaviation Theyareproducedusing renewable resources such as biomass, waste materials, or non-food crops SAFs can be used as a drop-in replacementforconventionaljetfuelsandareintendedto reducethecarbonfootprintoftheaviationindustry

SAFs have the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional jet fuels because they are derived from renewable sources. They can help mitigate the environmental impact of aviation, which is a majorcontributortoglobalgreenhousegasemissions.

ThereareseveraltypesofSAFs,includinghydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthetic fuels, and alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuels. These fuels undergo rigorous testing and certification to ensure they meet the necessary performance and safety requirements for use in commercial aircraft. It is important to note that some alternative fuel types can be more feasible in some countries and not in others, but Africa has the potential to fearlessly embark on this journey. The AfDB for example concluded that up to 10 percent of East Africa’s energy needs could be supplied by the full development of just two alternative forms of energy: thermal power, which is produced from steam that emanates from below the earth’s surface, and cogeneration, in which heat energy escaping from a power plant or industrial process is used togenerateelectricity

As Africa continues to progress and strive for economic growth and development, addressing its transportation needs will be a critical endeavor By investing in modern and sustainable transport systems, Africa can unlock its economic potential, foster regional integration, enhance social inclusion, and improve the overall quality of life for its people Collaboration, innovation, and long-term planning are crucial elements in achieving an efficient, safe,andsustainabletransportationlandscapeinAfrica

Stay tuned to more articles on alternative fuels powering Africa’s mobility The conversation continues at editor@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings: https://www un org/africarenewal/magazine/october2006/what-alternatives-oil-africa https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Docume nts/Publications/Oil%20and%20Gas%20in%20Africa.pdf https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/el/ MEMO 11 41 https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/