The  Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo  has advised Global Aviation Stakeholders on the need to harmonize the development, production and deployment of the proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuels-SAF.

who speaking on behalf of the continent at the ongoing Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels reminded the organizers of the submissions at the 41st ICAO Assembly where the global aviation stakeholders resolved to working together to strive to achieve a collective long-term global aspirational goal for international aviation (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“As we gather here in CAAF 3 to review and update the 2050 ICAO Vision for SAF, including LCAF and other cleaner energy for aviation, in order to define a global framework, I wish to highlight that:

• No particular region should be left behind in developing, producing and

deploying SAF/LCAF and other cleaner energy for aviation.”

“ Cost and affordability are central issues to implement policies in support of

the Vision.”

He noted that the price differential of SAF/LCAF is higher compared

to conventional jet fuels today, the global framework must address availability, reliability and affordability of SAF/LCAF and its cost impacts on air fares.

Any potential targets or any amount of SAF/LCAF and other cleaner energy

for aviation to replace conventional fuels should be a global target without

attribution or commitment of individual State target,he noted.

“The global framework must be supported by a robust and targeted institutional strengthening and capacity building, technology transfers and access to new and financing to all States especially to developing countries in line with No

Country Left Behind.”

In particular for financing the global framework, he continued, must

ensure simple, clear and easily accessible financing or funding (both public

and private) for the development, production and deployment of SAF/LCAF.

The Nigeria’s Aviation Minister informed the global audience of the continent’s future plan for the aviation sector.

“Central to this growth and development is our realization that

environmental sustainability and tackling climate change will contribute to the

sustainable development of air transport especially in Africa.”

According to him, it is for this reason that the African Union under Agenda 2063 has identified the Single African Air

Transport Market (SAATM) as one of the flagship projects to transform the aviation industry in Africa, promote socio-economic development and integration of Africa.

He told the gathering that Africa is home to over 1 billion people with a vast landmass that requires a robust aviation system to move people and goods around.

Keyamo noted that Aviation supports socio-economic development and integration of Africa adding that we have committed to ensure the growth and development of African Aviation in the same way as other regions of the world.

.” As part of the African efforts to address this resolution, the African

member States working through AFCAC have taken the initiative to accelerate the development, production and deployment of SAF, LCAF and other cleaner energy sources for aviation.”

The initiative focuses on four key pillars :

• Development and Harmonization of Policies in Africa to promote SAF/LCAF development, production and deployment in African States, attract appropriate technology and financing to enable building of SAF/LCAF production facilities in African States.

• Institutional, Human and Technical Capacity enhancement in African

States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to support

implementation of SAF/LCAF initiatives in Africa including building of

SAF/LCAF producing facilities in African States.

• Technical Feasibility studies/assessments on the potential of SAF/LCAF as

a basis for public and private investment in SAF/LCAF production in Africa.

• Resource mobilization and lobbying through the African Union, it’s development partners as well as all other available funding sources to provide funding for building of SAF/LCAF production projects in African States.

He  stated  that, member States of the Aviation Stakeholders had adopted Resolution A41-21 which recognized that the

LTAG is a collective global goal, and does not attribute specific obligations to individual States.

He  promised that the African continent will be making its contributions through the respective States that will speak and present technical papers as well as through the

coordinated technical submissions by AFCAC under the respective agenda items to further share experiences and its expectations for the global framework that will be

adopted at this CAAF 3.