“The use of bioenergy is projected to grow in Africa,” Stephen Karekezi, African Energy Policy Research Network (AFREPREN) stated at the International Conference on Renewable Energy in Africa held in Dakar last week. He discussed the potential of biofuels for transport, bagasse for cogeneration, and biogas for institutional use. He said their potential benefits include poverty reduction, improved energy services, and reduced health and environmental impacts.
Mamadour Dianka of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, discussed several projects, focusing on biomass from charcoal in Mali and rice in Senegal, and cashew nuts for electricity production in Guinea-Bissau. To keep in stride with Dianka, Nzola Mahungu, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture explained that while cassava is used mainly as food in Africa, it could also be used as a biofuel, like in Asia. He stressed that it could be grown everywhere in Africa and highlighted African farmers’ competitive production potential. It was evident that most agreed on the importance of national bioenergy strategies, public-private partnerships, and education in order to see these project through.
Karekezi stressed that too positive a picture has been painted of liquid biofuels, and highlighted the benefits of cogeneration. He stated that Africa should engage in the biofuels industry on its own terms.