Zimbabwe plans to produce aviation fuel from sugarcane and sorghum

Zimbabwe is exploring the establishment of domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production using agricultural feedstocks, particularly sugarcane, cassava and sorghum. The government aims to reduce carbon emissions from aviation, decrease dependence on conventional fuels and attract investment in agricultural processing. According to NewsDay, SAF development is seen as a promising opportunity to diversify agriculture and create more value domestically.

In October 2026, Zimbabwe’s government received the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), outlining a roadmap for establishing a domestic SAF industry. The document is intended to help identify key development priorities and investment opportunities. The country is currently in the planning stage, and no specific timeline for launching commercial production has been announced.

The new study builds on an earlier SAF feasibility assessment conducted in 2023. At that time, researchers identified 14 potential feedstocks that could be used to produce more sustainable aviation fuel. These include sugarcane, cassava, sorghum, jatropha and various agricultural residues. Using several types of plant-based feedstocks could help diversify future production and reduce reliance on individual crops.

Of particular interest to the agricultural sector is the opportunity to create new markets for crops and agricultural processing by-products. Sugarcane and cassava, for example, can be used to produce bioethanol, which can then be converted into aviation fuel using appropriate technologies. Meanwhile, developing the processing of sorghum and agricultural residues could potentially expand the feedstock base of the country’s future biofuel industry.

Implementing SAF production plans could create additional opportunities for Zimbabwean farmers, stimulate investment in agricultural processing and support the development of domestic value chains. However, establishing a new industry will require identifying economically viable technologies, securing stable feedstock supplies and attracting financing. The project’s future prospects will depend on the practical implementation of the ICAO roadmap and investor interest in developing sustainable aviation fuel production in the country.

Tags: sorghum, Zimbabwe, sugarcane, SAF, aviation fuel