18 September 2026

Senegal Identifies Potential SAF Feedstocks in Feasibility Study

ANACIM has received the report of Senegal's sustainable aviation fuel feasibility study, carried out under the ICAO ACT-SAF project, which identifies sugarcane molasses, typha, cashew apple, neem and jatropha as potential feedstocks.

Two men in suits holding a bound report between them at the handover of Senegal's sustainable aviation fuel feasibility study in Dakar. — The report on Senegal's sustainable aviation fuel feasibility study is handed over in Dakar. [ANACIM]

Edited by:

African Pilot Newsdesk

Why this article matters
The study gives ANACIM an assessment of which feedstocks Senegal could draw on for SAF production, naming sugarcane molasses, typha, cashew apple, neem and jatropha, and of the conditions a structured industry would require. ICAO's regional director says the findings put the country in a better position to approach technical and financial partners and to develop pilot projects.

Senegal's participation comes through the ICAO ACT-SAF project, supported by the European Union, and the work remains at the assessment stage rather than production. What follows will show whether the conclusions attract the partners and investment in the value chains that the study identifies as necessary.

Senegal has completed a feasibility study examining the potential development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in the country, identifying several possible domestic feedstocks.

The report was presented to the Director General of the National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency (ANACIM), Dr Diaga Basse, in Dakar on 14 September 2026 by Romain Ekoto, Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Western and Central African Office (WACAF).

The study identified sugarcane molasses, typha, cashew apple, neem and jatropha as potential feedstocks for SAF production in Senegal.

According to Ekoto, the study provides greater clarity on Senegal’s potential and the conditions required to develop a structured SAF sector. It could also support efforts to attract technical and financial partners, develop pilot projects, build national capacity and encourage investment in associated value chains.

Basse described the study as an initial step towards assessing Senegal’s SAF potential and identifying the technical, economic and institutional conditions required for the development of a domestic industry.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Land and Air Transport Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye, Basse thanked the European Union and ICAO for their support and for including Senegal in the ACT-SAF project.

He also called on the organisations involved to work towards translating the study’s findings into concrete initiatives to support the development of SAF in Senegal.