Keynote introduction: Overview on bioenergy policies in Africa

Abstract

Primary policy drivers for bioenergy promotion in Africa include security of energy supply, a reduction of the foreign exchange burden of oil importing countries, as well as environmental benefits such as the restoration of degraded land, reduced land abandonment, and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the development of modern bioenergy systems offers opportunities to diversify agricultural production and to stimulate socio-economic development. On the other hand, concerns exist that bioenergy expansion in African countries may have severe negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. In order to minimise risks and maximise benefits, in recent years several African countries have launched initiatives to establish sound policy frameworks for bioenergy in order to ensure environmentally, economically and socially sustainable production, promotion and use of bioenergy. Nevertheless, fully functional legal and regulatory frameworks have not yet been established in African countries. The most advanced regulatory frameworks for bioenergy exist in South Africa and Mozambique with the Biofuels Industrial Strategy of the Republic of South Africa (enacted in 2007) and the National Biofuels Policy and Strategy (NBPS) published in May 2009 by the Government of Mozambique. Specific activities in the field of bioenergy sustainability certification as an essential component of the regulation of the bioenergy sector are performed in Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, and on regional level by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).