National Carrier Kenya Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rubis Energy Kenya to develop Africa’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) refinery, marking a key milestone in the continent’s green aviation transition.
The agreement, signed on May 12, 2026, during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi in the presence of Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, is set to position Kenya as a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel production.
The facility is projected to cost between €60 million and €70 million, approximately KES 10.6 billion and is expected to produce around 32,000 metric tonnes of fuel upon completion. The refinery will process locally sourced waste cooking oil and animal fats into SAF through a series of refining processes.
Speaking in Nairobi during the signing of the MoU, Kenya Airways Acting Group Managing Director and CEO George Kamal noted that the project addresses the need to decarbonize the aviation industry.
“The expansion of air transport is linked to a growing share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Jomo Kenyatta International Airports consumes 2.9 million litres of jet fuel every day, an amount equal to filling the tanks of 52,727 family cars,” said Mr. Kamal. “Sustainable renewable biogenic fuel is the optimal route for airlines to reach the goal of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to achieve net zero CO2e emissions by 2050,” he added.
On his part, Co-managing Partner of Rubis and CEO of Rubis Énergie, Jean-Christian Bergeron, stated that the company’s involvement aligns its strategy of providing low-carbon energy solutions globally.
Kenya Airways Strengthens Green Aviation Strategy
The partnership cements Kenya Airway’s sustainability agenda while enhancing Kenya’s position in clean energy and green industrial development across Africa. It also creates opportunities for local skills development and innovation.
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