The European Commission is extending its efforts to promote sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) beyond Europe, working with African partners to support the decarbonisation of international air transport.
The initiative is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and aligns with the European Green Deal and the target of net zero emissions in international aviation by 2050.
On 11 September, the Commission and the African Civil Aviation Commission convened a high-level meeting to examine financing challenges linked to the development of SAF and other low-carbon energy solutions in Africa. The event brought together senior representatives from both organisations, as well as from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the African Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank.
Discussions focused on possible financing structures and mechanisms to support investment in SAF production capacity and the wider adoption of cleaner energy. Several financial institutions present indicated their readiness to work together on financial support for such initiatives.
Opening the meeting, Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, underlined the importance of building partnerships.
Kopczyńska said:The EU is proud to strengthen its partnerships with African States and institutions to build momentum towards decarbonising aviation on the path to net-zero. The Commission will continue to advance to global the production of SAF as well as renewable and low-carbon fuels, in line with the ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative. In doing so, we also contribute to socio-economic development in our partner countries. I look forward to continuing this dialogue at the upcoming 42nd ICAO Assembly.
The Commission stated that this work also supports broader EU-African cooperation on climate action and sustainable growth, with outcomes expected to contribute to discussions at the EU-AU Summit scheduled for November 2025.
