The Director General of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), Mrs Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki, presided over the opening of a workshop jointly organized with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and supported by the European Union (EU) on Monday, August 31, 2026. This event marks the official start of a feasibility study to assess Cameroon’s potential to produce and use Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

In her opening remarks, Mme Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki emphasized that environmental protection is a strategic priority for ICAO. She stated: “Cameroon must anticipate the evolving needs of air transport. The aim is to explore the conditions under which a national SAF industry could be developed, enabling airlines to source fuel locally in the future.”

This initiative will not only ensure compliance with international requirements such as the CORSIA mechanism (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) but also create jobs and add value to the national economy.

The EU representative highlighted that sustainable fuel development is central to the European Green Deal and the Global Gateway project, stressing: “Decarbonizing aviation is no longer a distant prospect; it is now a concrete agenda requiring investment and strong partnerships.” He noted that Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are among 12 African pilot states supported under this framework, with the EU committed to helping structure local and regional value chains (biomass, conversion technologies, infrastructure, and certification).

This vision was reinforced by ICAO officials, including Mr. Tetsuya Tanaka, Director of Environment, and Mr. Romain Ekoto, ICAO Regional Director for West and Central Africa (WACAF). Mr. Romain Ekoto praised Cameroon’s strong mobilization efforts, while stressing that the study's success will depend on the active involvement of all national stakeholders.

The workshop gathered focal points and sector experts. Sessions covered regulation and certification, sustainability reporting, life-cycle analysis of SAF under CORSIA, production pathways and emerging technologies, and mapping of local raw materials. These were led by Mrs, Rocio Gonzalez (ACT-SAF Project Coordinator, ICAO), Mr. Didier Moukalan (ICAO Technical Consultant), and Mrs. Mathilde Tannous (SAF Technical Consultant, ICAO). Their objective was to conduct an in-depth evaluation of Cameroon’s potential.

Following two days of exchanges, experts and technical teams will conduct 10 days of field surveys at key sites to collect concrete data from industrial facilities, agricultural actors, and existing infrastructure (including refining capacity). This will verify the actual availability of biomass resources and reusable waste.

Within six months, conclusions will be submitted to determine Cameroon’s true potential for producing sustainable fuel that is technically, economically, and ecologically viable, paving the way for a roadmap aligned with ICAO standards.

By: SZ/PRU

Trans: MKG/ARO-PRU

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