The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has partnered the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to address investment challenges, risk mitigation, and project bankability on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
At a high-level regional workshop on Access to Finance for SAF Production in Lagos, the Director General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the Regional Manager, Lagos, Mrs. Bukola Teriba, in his opening remarks, stressed the critical importance of access to finance for SAF production projects.
He also reaffirmed its role in reducing the environmental impact of aviation and aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net zero carbon emission by 2050.
The workshop which brought together stakeholders from 14 African countries, international financial institutions, and SAF project developers was part of the Assistance, Capacity Building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Africa–India Project.
It aims to confront the realities of SAF project development, discuss de-risking strategies, and enhance understanding of SAF direct supply lines and financial assessment tools.
The workshop also sought to share best practices in financial management, identify key stakeholders in the finance space, and discuss available financial instruments in support of SAF development.
According to the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Mr. Michael Achimugu, the workshop marked a significant step in Nigeria’s transition towards the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
The event culminated in the official inauguration of six Technical Working Groups (TWGs) by Capt. Chris Najomo, which will guide Nigeria’s SAF development across policy, feedstock, infrastructure, finance, sustainability, and technology.
The TWGs will focus on policy and regulation, feedstock and production, funding and investment, technology and innovation, environmental and social impact, and infrastructure and logistics.
The workshop’s key objectives were to address the challenges faced by SAF project developers and financiers, and to discuss strategies for achieving viable SAF production in Africa.
The gathering was attended by representatives of ICAO, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), EU delegations to Nigeria and WACAF, and other international organizations, industry stakeholders, and partners.
The event was coordinated by the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations of the NCAA, and marks a major step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to develop Sustainable Aviation Fuels and reduce its carbon footprint.
