Derived Biofuel in Africa

NASAC (the Network of African Science Academies) published the proceedings of the IAP/IAC Regional Workshop on "Jatropha curcas-derived biofuel industry in Africa" which took place on 22-23 February 2010 in Nairobi. The workshop was organized to discuss the development of the biofuel industry in Africa in line with the recommendations of the InterAcademy Council (IAC) Report entitled "Lighting the Way: Toward a Sustainable Energy Future".

The aims of the workshop were to:

• discuss best practices for agronomical, agro-biotechnological, and business-related issues in biofuel production;
• increase awareness on various government policies that may lead to investing in the commercial exploitation of Jatropha bio-diesel in African countries; and
• explore strategies that academies can employ to advise African governments to promote production of renewable energy through bio-fuels obtained from non-food sources such as Jatropha curcas.