Africa’s first aviation fuel refinery planned under new $82 million France-backed deal

Africa is set to develop its first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery following a new France-backed agreement signed between Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya, a subsidiary of French energy group Rubis.

• Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya signed an agreement to build Africa's first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery.
• The planned facility will produce 32,000 metric tons of SAF annually and require an investment of $70.5 to $82.2 million.
• The agreement was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Kenya.
• Currently, Africa's SAF market relies mostly on imports and pilot projects, lacking large-scale domestic production.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to jointly develop the refinery, which is expected to produce 32,000 metric tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually.

The project is estimated to require an investment of between €60 million and €70 million, equivalent to about $70.5 million to $82.2 million.

The proposed location near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is considered strategic, given that JKIA serves as Kenya’s primary international aviation hub and one of the country’s largest aviation fuel consumption centers.

The agreement was signed in the presence of William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron during the French leader’s visit aimed at strengthening economic and strategic ties with African partners.

Before the new France-backed refinery proposal, Africa’s SAF sector was largely limited to pilot projects, certification programs, and imported biofuels rather than dedicated production facilities.

South Africa’s Natref refinery was among the first to secure sustainability certification linked to SAF pathways, while Kenya Airways has operated demonstration flights using imported SAF.

However, the continent has not yet had a purpose-built, commercial-scale refinery dedicated exclusively to SAF production.

SAF reshapes aviation fuel use

Sustainable aviation fuel is viewed as a critical component of the global aviation industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

SAF can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel and has become a growing priority for airlines facing pressure to meet climate targets.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) differs from conventional Jet A1 fuel because it is produced from renewable or sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural waste, biomass, and other low-carbon sources rather than crude oil.

While Jet A1 remains the standard fossil-based fuel used in global aviation, SAF is designed as a cleaner alternative that can be blended with traditional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft engines without major modifications.

Depending on the production method, SAF can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional aviation fuel.

The planned refinery marks a major milestone for Africa’s aviation and clean energy sectors, as the continent currently relies heavily on imported aviation fuel while lagging behind Europe and North America in SAF production capacity.

Africa’s aviation sector pushes toward greener fuel alternatives

The project also reflects rising momentum behind green aviation initiatives across Africa, where airlines and governments are increasingly exploring lower-carbon transport solutions amid tightening global environmental regulations.

For Kenya Airways, the partnership could support longer-term efforts to reduce fuel costs and improve sustainability credentials in an industry where fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses.

Meanwhile, the deal strengthens France’s commercial footprint in Africa’s energy transition sector at a time when European countries are seeking deeper partnerships across strategic industries including infrastructure, energy, logistics, and transport.

If completed, the refinery could position the region as an early African hub for sustainable aviation fuel production, potentially supporting future export markets as global demand for SAF accelerates.