Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya have signed an agreement to develop what they describe as Africa’s first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery, marking a major step toward cleaner aviation fuels on the continent.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Tuesday between Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya, a unit of France’s Rubis Group.
The planned facility will have a production capacity of around 32,000 metric tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel, with an estimated investment cost of between €60 million and €70 million (US$70.5 million to US$82.2 million).
The companies said the project is aimed at positioning Kenya as a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel production, while supporting the global aviation industry’s push to reduce carbon emissions.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the political backing for the initiative.
Officials say the refinery would be the first of its kind in Africa dedicated specifically to producing SAF, a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel made from renewable feedstocks such as waste oils and biomass.
Sustainable aviation fuel is increasingly seen as a critical component of global aviation decarbonisation strategies, particularly as airlines face pressure to meet net-zero emission targets by mid-century.
Kenya Airways has been exploring ways to reduce its carbon footprint, including fuel efficiency measures and potential investments in alternative fuels as part of its long-term sustainability strategy.
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Rubis Energy, which operates fuel distribution and retail networks across East Africa, is expected to play a key role in developing the supply chain for feedstock and distribution of the new fuel product.
The project is also expected to support local job creation and stimulate investment in green energy infrastructure in Kenya.
Aviation analysts say the initiative could help position East Africa as an emerging player in the global sustainable fuels market, though scaling production and securing consistent feedstock supplies remain key challenges.
If successfully implemented, the refinery could serve as a model for similar projects across Africa, where aviation demand is growing rapidly but green fuel production remains limited.
