Bioethanol Technologies in Africa
Bothwell Batidzirai
UNIDO/AU/Brazil First HighLevel Biofuels Seminar in
Africa (30 July–1 August 2007)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contents
 Overview
 Drivers of bioethanol fuel
 African experiences
 Lessons learnt
 Barrier analysis
 Action plan
 Conclusions
Key Drivers of Bioethanol
 Energy security
 Reduction of oil imports
 High oil prices
 Environmental commitments
 Rural development opportunities
 Diversification of agricultural industries
 Lead/MTBE phase out programs
Global Ethanol Production
Sugarcane
 Ethanol production
doubled to 46 Gl in 20002005
 Projected to 60-75 Gl in
2010
 Growth mainly in US,
Brazil, China
 13 countries using ethanol
fuel in 2003
 At least 30 countries
have/plan to introduce
ethanol fuel programs
Maize
Wheat, beet
Bioethanol costs by feedstock
Source: Davis, 2007
Ethanol production in Africa
Annual production (million litres)
Egypt
30
Kenya
15
Mauritius
23
Nigeria
30
South Africa
410
Swaziland
13
Zimbabwe
25
Other Africa
92
Total
638
Malawi
~
18 Ml/yr
Source: FO Lichts, 2007
Country
Bioethanol experiences in
Africa
 Blending programmes
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Zimbabwe – blending from 1980-1992
Malawi – blending since 1982
Kenya – blending since 1983-1993
 New programmes
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South Africa – new programme in 2007
Ethiopia – E5 mandate in Addis in 2007
Nigeria – Brazil partnership to create BioCity
Sudan – new programme in 2007
Pan African Cassava Initiative
Zimbabwe ethanol program
 Motivation

Sanctions, security of supply, saving foreign currency,
low sugar prices
 Success factors
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Public-private partnership
Local material (60%), construction and labour
Well developed agriculture & industry
Clear pricing policy
Well planned implementation strategy
Food-fuel dilemma not critical (sugar export crop)
Zimbabwe ethanol program
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Annexed distillery at Triangle (40 Ml pa)
Blending at 13-18%
1992 drought reduced feedstock drastically
Resuscitation attempts failed
Economic reforms favoured export of ethanol
Triangle maximised sugar production for export
Current plans to resuscitate blending in 2007
Malawi ethanol program
 Motivation

Costly imports, security of supply (regional instability)
 Success factors



Clear & consistent policies including incentives &
competitive pricing
Steady availability of feedstock
Availability of irrigation water (Lake Malawi)
 Dwangwa plant produces 15-20Ml pa since 1982


Plant cost $8mln, savings $32mln (1982-1990)
Blending at 15-22%
 New plant at Nchalo with capacity of 12 Ml pa
Kenya ethanol program
 Madhvani project failed due to costly design
 Muhoroni plant annexed to sugar mill has capacity
of 60kl/day, cost $15 mln
 Blending at 10%
 Project continuously registered losses due to
uncompetitive pricing
 Also poor management, resistance from oil
companies, loan servicing burden
 Blending discontinued in 1993
 Ethanol currently being exported
New Ethanol Fuel Initiatives
 South Africa

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Ethanol from maize programme (155 Ml pa)
Mandatory E10 blending legislation pending
Biofuels strategy being developed
 Nigeria


Using Brazilian model & partnership to start bioethanol
programme
Presidential Initiative on Cassava & ethanol from
cassava plant in Niger with China
 Ethiopia: Staggered E5 blending programme starting with
Addis
 Sudan: New 10-year sugar strategy include 250 Ml
ethanol plant at Eljazeera
Lessons Learnt
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Government support critical (not control)
Clear, consistent, sustained policies
Capital and pricing incentives
Close public-private partnership
Supportive institutional framework
Local construction & early capacity building
Simple designs & avoiding too rapid expansion
Sustained feedstock availability
Preparedness for weather induced feedstock shortages
Comprehensive program of action
Barriers
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Lack of clear, consistent long term policies
Lack of government support
Lack of supportive institutional framework
Lack of technical expertise
Capital intensive nature of projects
Lack of access to affordable finance
Arable land and water availability (droughts)
Limited availability of feedstock
Competition with food production
Market uncertainty due to fluctuating oil, sugar
prices
Action plan
 Capacity building


Stakeholder awareness raising on benefits,
opportunities, technologies, policies
Awareness raising on project development, financing
strategies
 Technical expertise development

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Training in sustainable feedstock production
Training in equipment fabrication, civil works ,
production and maintenance
Training in biotechnologies and yield improvement
Action Plan
 Policy development

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Establish a consultative industry strategy
Develop implementation plan incl institutional structure
Develop supporting policies e.g incentives &
supporting regulatory framework
Establish pricing formula for ethanol
 Research, Development & Demonstration

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Develop bioethanol research programme
Conduct long term research on feedstocks, technologies
Establish continuous market and policy review
 International knowledge sharing

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Establish international knowledge sharing forum
Promote joint RD&D
Conclusions
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Enormous potential for bioethanol fuel
Significant benefits already demonstrated
Government support critical to project success
Mandates and incentives important for market
transformation
 Clear & consistent policy framework important
 Need for ensuring & monitoring sustainability of
programs w.r.t food-fuel dilemma, maintaining
environmental integrity