Source: WABIS 2008
THE WESTAFRICAN BIOFUELS SUMMIT 2008
THEME: Developing Biofuels Projects in West Africa: Feedstock, Technologies & Finance
The West African Biofuels Summit 2008 was held in Abuja,Nigeria from April 22-24, 2008. The theme was ‘Developing Biofuels Projects in West Africa: Feedstock, Technologies and Finance.
The Summit attracted participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Singapore, UK, South Africa and Zambia.
The three day program covered various potential topics and questions arising from the current trends in the global biofuels industry. There were three panel discussions during the program namely:
- Food vs Fuel
- Biofuels Technologies & Sustainability
- Biofuels Finance
The recommendations and conclusions during the panel discussion are stated below:
(A) Food vs Fuel
( i ) Food has never been enough anyway even before the advent or inception of biodiesel/biofuels
(ii) There should be proper implementation by the West African countries government to empower the rural person
(iii) Rural Infrastructure should be put in place to assist the rural dwellers to grow more oil crops and where not possible to grow more non-edible crops which don’t have to be tendered as much as oil crops.
(iv) The issue of food versus fuel should not arise as only a small percentage of crops produced are used for biofuels in Africa.
(v) Farmers should be encouraged to grow non-edible oils crops along side food crops
(vi) Waste cooking oils and fallow oils should be used to produce biodiesel through insufficient but non-edible oils can be grown to supplement biodiesel Swiss Replica Watches produced.
(vii) African leaders need to save their continent from poverty and starvation to empower the rural poor dwellers.
(viii) Economic chaism in the world where developed countries tend to use crops for making biofuels sends negative images around the developing countries as if food is being wasted.
(B) Biofuels Technologies & Sustainability
A basic question was asked before the commencement of this panel discussion: Should bioethanol or biodiesel be used? Can there be sustainability in raw materials cultivation and production technology projecting 2030.
(i) Since there are clear policies but no clear legislation, therefore proper or defined legislation should be given to implement the policy
(ii) Kaduna state government of Nigeria had achieved the building of local bioethanol pilot plant
(iii) Local farmers should be enlighted and integrated into the production of raw materials
(iv) Sugarcane is used in Brazil with zero waste, such achievement should be emulated in West Africa, thus we should utilize our resources and optimize our local techonology.
(v) Ensuring an existing technology-Building a physical plant that can produce Biofuels using any feedstock will undoubtedly propel people (poor or rich) to cultivate the feedstock.
(vi) Improved agricultural practices for the rural farmers by government agencies to make incentives for farmers are strongly recommended. Improved varieties and seedlings that will give great yield in farm produce. Jatropha had been found to be intercropped with other crops. Rafia palm can be cultivated too.
(vii) India had been successful in the use of sweet sorghum; the West African states can have a closer look into too.
(viii) Government should provide reserves and extension services for farmers
(ix) Government can help to build standard laboratories for the purpose of research and quality control of product.
(x) Disabusing the mind of the West African countries against the new masquerade of ethanol blender gasoline.
(xi) More research is recommended to improve existing local producers of bioethanol, thus local technology can be modified and well graded
(xii) Investment into Biofuels should be private sector driven. Governments have no investment plan. They should provide an enabling environment
(xiii) Private sector should therefore pick up the challenge and invest into Biofuels production having an existing plant which is producing, hence this will provoke the government and individuals interest to go into massive feedstock production
(xiv) The West African countries should be zoned for feedstocks development
(xv) Standard laboratories should be made available for biofuels testing
(xvi) Pro-Poor models should be integrated into biofuels development in West Africa
(C) Biofuels Finance
(i) The $2 billion NEPAD/ECOWAS fund should be well structurized to address the development of biofuels projects in West Africa
(ii) Project developers must be willing to take part of the financial risk, that is, demonstrating viability
(iii) Partnership of financial institutions and multinational are needed for effective financing of biofuels projects
(iv) Funding for research and manufacturing development
(v) Public-Private Partnership to finance feedstock especially non-edible feedstock cellulosic ethanol production should be encourage
(vi) Financing farm machinery and biofuels equipments through public/private synergy
(vii) Developing financial mechanism for research into expected standard safety best practices in biofuels refinery.
In conclusion, a Pro-Poor approach was recommended and adopted for effective penetration of biofuels development in West Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Singapore, UK, South Africa, Zambia,
These conclusions were reached by the Final Compilation Team which included:
– Dr. Jean Legoupil, FARA ,Ghana
– Dr. Egwim Evans, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
– Dr. Mator Dogara, Kaduna State Government of Nigeria
– Mr. Abiodun Olaniyi, Centre for Jatropha Promotions & Biofuels
– Mrs. Omotola Babajide, University of West Cape, South Africa
– Mr. Nelson Ajakaiye, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria
– Mrs. Adeola Olugbenga, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
– Mr. Gideon Adogbo, Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria,Nigeria
– Engr. Abba Sani Kurawa, Cofa Farms Ltd, Nigeria
– Prince Bright Ese Ogaga, Briepower Renewable Energies International