Bio-energy trade and regional development: the case of bio-ethanol in southern Africa

Johnson, Francis X.; Matsika, Emmanuel

doi:10.1016/s0973-0826(08)60506-2

Cited by 36 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…It is important to remember that almost all countries in the region import all (or most) of their transport fuel. This is a significant burden to the trade balance, especially in landlocked countries such as Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, or in remote areas of countries such as Mozambique where access to fuel is difficult [31,32]. While some countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe had some experience with liquid biofuels, only Malawi was still blending biofuels in the mid-2000s [33].…”

Section: The Conducive Environment For a New Biofuel Crop In Southernmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Rise, Fall and Potential Resilience Benefits of Jatropha in Southern Africa

2014

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Jatropha is the latest in a list of "miracle crops" that have been promoted in southern Africa for their perceived development benefits. This was based on promises of high yields, low water requirement, ability to grow on marginal land and lack of competition with food. In less than 10 years, tens of thousands of hectares were acquired for jatropha plantations and thousands of hectares were planted, most of which are now unused or abandoned. Overestimations of jatropha yields coupled with underestimations of the management costs have probably been the prime contributors to the collapse of most jatropha projects in southern African. However, a few projects still survive and show signs of possible long-term sustainability. We consider two such projects, a smallholder-based project in Malawi and a large-scale plantation in Mozambique. Though their long-term sustainability is not proven, both projects may increase resilience by diversifying household income streams and contributing to national fuel security. By identifying what seems to be working in these projects we provide insights as to why other projects may have failed in southern Africa and whether there is still place for jatropha in the region. In essence can jatropha still enhance local/national resilience or are jatropha's benefits just a myth? OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2014, 6 3616

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Section: The Conducive Environment For a New Biofuel Crop In Southernmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Rise, Fall and Potential Resilience Benefits of Jatropha in Southern Africa

2014

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“…It is one of the poorest and least developed areas in the world (UNESC 2007, IFAD 2011 and despite relatively good agronomic conditions over large sections of SSA, the level of food insecurity remains high and rural poverty is rife (World Bank 2010). Based on a perception of large tracts of available land coupled with available labour and good agronomic conditions, a number of studies have suggested that Africa has high biofuel feedstock production potential (Smeets et al 2007, Batidzirai et al 2006, Johnson and Matsika 2006, Watson 2010. Africa is a vast continent and from a global perspective its population density is low which suggests that land is still a relatively abundant resource.…”

Section: Methodological Constraintsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Then from 2004 to 2008, interest in biofuels underwent a huge revival, largely attributed to the movement toward mandatory fuel blends in Europe and other developed nations (von Maltitz et al 2009). SSA's biofuel production potential was highlighted in several studies, helping to drive interest in Africa for biofuel investment (Smeets et al 2007, Batidzirai et al 2006, Johnson and Matsika 2006 and prompting international investors to acquire large tracts of land for feedstock plantations in SSA (Schutter 2009, World Bank 2010, Friis and Reenberg 2010. Simultaneously, the environmental and social sustainability of biofuels came under extensive scientific scrutiny (e.g.…”

Section: Tables Figuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing opportunities and constraints for biofuel development in sub-Saharan Africa

Maltitz¹,

Staffor²

2011

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“…Such technologies provide alternatives to paraffin or open fire cooking and heating that are associated with fire hazards, indoor pollution and inefficient conversion (in the case of fuelwood). Johnson & Matsika [120] estimated a market of 10 billion litres is needed to substitute for 30 per cent of all cooking fuels in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite offering more socioeconomic and environmental benefits than traditional cooking and heating energy, the uptake of clean fuel cooking and heating technologies in rural areas of Africa has been very low, mainly because of lack of distribution infrastructure, high costs and lack of awareness [121].…”

Section: Markets Opportunities For Bioenergy In Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Next-generation cellulosic ethanol technologies and their contribution to a sustainable Africa

et al. 2011

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The world is currently heavily dependent on oil, especially in the transport sector. However, rising oil prices, concern about environmental impact and supply instability are among the factors that have led to greater interest in renewable fuel and green chemistry alternatives. Lignocellulose is the only foreseeable renewable feedstock for sustainable production of transport fuels. The main technological impediment to more widespread utilization of lignocellulose for production of fuels and chemicals in the past has been the lack of low-cost technologies to overcome the recalcitrance of its structure. Both biological and thermochemical second-generation conversion technologies are currently coming online for the commercial production of cellulosic ethanol concomitantly with heat and electricity production. The latest advances in biological conversion of lignocellulosics to ethanol with a focus on consolidated bioprocessing are highlighted. Furthermore, integration of cellulosic ethanol production into existing bio-based industries also using thermochemical processes to optimize energy balances is discussed. Biofuels have played a pivotal yet suboptimal role in supplementing Africa's energy requirements in the past. Capitalizing on sub-Saharan Africa's total biomass potential and using second-generation technologies merit a fresh look at the potential role of bioethanol production towards developing a sustainable Africa while addressing food security, human needs and local wealth creation.

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Bio-energy trade and regional development: the case of bio-ethanol in southern Africa

Cited by 36 publications

References 6 publications

The Rise, Fall and Potential Resilience Benefits of Jatropha in Southern Africa

The Rise, Fall and Potential Resilience Benefits of Jatropha in Southern Africa

Assessing opportunities and constraints for biofuel development in sub-Saharan Africa

Next-generation cellulosic ethanol technologies and their contribution to a sustainable Africa

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