Ethiopia’s Path to Clean Aviation

Ethiopia is positioning itself to become an African leader in clean aviation, with the ambitious goal of establishing a powerful and clean transport hub at the Horn of Africa. Central to this vision is the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a key step towards reducing aviation’s environmental impact. The country boasts significant resources, including abundant land and feedstock potential, that can support SAF production without compromising food security or other vital aspects of its economy, ecology, and society. Ethiopia’s renewable energy supply, particularly from hydropower, further strengthens its position as a key player in the clean aviation sector, with potential for electricity-based fuels – so called eSAF. Ethiopian Airlines, the national carrier, serves an extensive network of destinations across Africa and the globe, presenting a ready and reliable offtaker. This makes Ethiopia an ideal candidate for a clean aviation strategy, which is now gaining momentum.

PtX.Aviation Training: Charting the Way Forward for Clean Aviation

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In late February, a pivotal PtX.Aviation training workshop took place in Addis Ababa, bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to explore Ethiopia’s potential in SAF production. The workshop was hosted by the GIZ – Ethiopian German Energy Gooperation Project in collaboration with the International PtX Hub and in partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy, and the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. It provided a platform for 40 participants to dive deep into the technological, political, and financial aspects of SAF. During the event, participants gained insights into the global scope of SAF, the production process — especially for eSAF— and the necessary political frameworks, financing models, and infrastructure to ensure successful SAF projects.

I will apply the knowledge gained from SAF training to advance my future career and raise awareness to contribute to the SAF goals in the country.

Statement of a training participant, taken from the post-workshop survey

The participants also elaborated concrete ideas and strategies to actively contribute to Ethiopia’s clean aviation sector. Ethiopian Airlines opened its doors to showcase its state-of-the-art training facilities, a hub that trains aviation professionals from across Africa, positioning it as a potential key player in promoting SAF use at African airports.

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Supporting Ethiopia’s Long-Term Energy Transition

This SAF workshop was part of a series of three workshops designed to support Ethiopia’s long-term net-zero emissions goal by 2050. A first workshop held in October 2024, focused on mapping Ethiopia’s vision for Power-to-X solutions, identifying green ammonia for e-fertiliser production and e-SAF for Ethiopian Airlines as most promising sectors. The two follow-up workshops — one focusing on e-SAF and the other on e-fertilizer —are designed to dive deeper into these areas, with the e-fertilizer workshop scheduled for April 2025. The workshops were designed to feed into strategic decision-making.

e-SAF Production: A Viable Business Opportunity for Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s decision to develop its own SAF production capabilities is not just about reducing emissions — it’s a strategic move with far-reaching economic implications. While international aviation accounts for about 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, achieving net-zero aviation in Ethiopia also aligns with the country’s growing energy demands. With a booming population, rapid urbanisation, and an expanding economy, Ethiopia faces increasing energy needs.

With its high renewable energy potential, Ethiopia is well on its way to meeting this demand and expanding universal access to energy. Regarding potential e-SAF production, it also benefits from access to a variety of carbon feedstocks such as crop residue from the agricultural sector, and municipal solid waste. Such findings from a recent World Bank study for the region were presented during the training.

Ethiopia is well-positioned to become a leader in SAF production. However, the country must still identify the most suitable feedstocks and overcome financial hurdles for substantial upfront investment to implement the necessary technologies for eSAF production. Strong government support, private sector engagement, and international collaboration are key, the study states.

Driving Clean Aviation Across Africa

Ethiopia’s commitment to clean aviation extends beyond its borders. As a founding member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Ethiopia is dedicated to supporting ICAO’s global sustainability initiatives and advocating for clean aviation practices across Africa. Through its role in the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Ethiopia plays an active role in shaping environmental policies for the aviation sector on the continent. This includes working on sustainable aviation initiatives and promoting environmental regulations in line with international standards.

The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) and Ethiopian Airlines are at the forefront of the national transition to clean aviation. Together with the Ministry of Water and Energy, they are creating a dynamic policy environment to implement the country’s clean energy goals. Ethiopia’s energy strategy has evolved over decades, starting with the adoption of an energy policy in 1994, followed by several green economy and climate resilience strategies. Most recently, the government developed a long-term low-emission strategy that aims for zero-emissions energy use by 2050.

Conclusion: A Vision for a Sustainable Aviation Future

Ethiopia is on a clear path to becoming a player in clean aviation, both at the national and regional levels. With its abundant renewable energy resources, strong institutional backing, and a growing commitment to SAF, the country is well-positioned to lead its aviation sector into a sustainable future. As Ethiopia continues to build the infrastructure, technology, and partnerships necessary to support SAF production, it is laying the groundwork for a cleaner, greener aviation industry that could serve as a model for the rest of Africa and beyond.

(c) all pictures by Abinet Shiferaw