Sunbird Bioenergy Ethiopia
An integrated renewable fuel hub for the transportation, clean-cooking and aviation industries.
Sustainable Feedstock
A 20,000 Ha nucleus farm and out-grower program to produce sustainable agricultural feedstock for our biorefinery.
Biorefinery
The biorefinery converts the sustainably produced feedstock into renewable fuel, power and other by-products.
Introduction
A National Biofuel Hub for Transport, Clean Cooking and Aviation
Sunbird Bioenergy is partnering with the Government of Ethiopia to establish one of Africa’s most advanced integrated biofuel hubs, designed to supply renewable fuel for transport, clean cooking, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This national initiative supports Ethiopia’s long-term goals for energy security, industrialisation, and climate-resilient economic growth.
TIn collaboration with the Ethiopian Minerals, Petroleum and Biofuels Corporation (EMC), Sunbird is developing a multi-phase biofuel hub that will produce bioethanol and SAF for domestic use and regional export. The programme forms part of Ethiopia’s strategy to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and accelerate access to clean-cooking fuels.
The hub integrates agriculture, energy, aviation, and carbon finance into a single nationally significant industrial platform.
Stratigic Iniative
A Platform for Ethiopia’s Green Industrial Future
The integrated biofuel hub will deliver long-term benefits to Ethiopia, including:
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enhanced energy security through domestic renewable fuel production,
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reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels,
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job creation across agriculture, industry, logistics and aviation,
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high-value carbon-credit revenues for national development,
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measurable progress toward Ethiopia’s climate and sustainability commitments.
Sunbird is committed to working with EMC, the cross-ministerial taskforce, and Ethiopian Airlines to develop a world-class renewable-fuel platform that positions Ethiopia as a continental leader in sustainable energy, aviation fuel, and carbon markets.
Development Milestones
The company has been designed and developed as a benchmark for sustainable investment in Africa.
Sustainability
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Sunbird Bioenergy’s everyday business.
Sustainability
Sustainability and High-Integrity Standards
Sunbird’s Ethiopia programme adheres to rigorous sustainability criteria, ensuring:
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zero-deforestation feedstock supply,
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climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices,
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transparent, inclusive value chains for smallholder farmers,
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verified carbon-impact accounting aligned with Article 6 and CORSIA standards,
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compliance with international sustainability bodies.
Project design is guided by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and informed by the World Bank “Fuelling Flight” report, which identifies scalable, sustainable pathways for renewable transport fuels.
2025
Sunbird Bioenergy launches a cassava out-grower program in Kawamwba, Luapula Province. 2,500 out-growers have been recruited for the current season. The out-grower program will scale up to create 20,000 economic opportunities for small-scale farmers.
2019
Completion of the cassava nursery that will provide high-quality planting materials for 20,000 Ha of land. It also serves as a location for small-scale farmer training and knowledge transfer.
2015
Incorporation of Sunbird Bioenergy: His Excellency President Lungu launches Sunbird Bioenergy in Kawambwa, Luapula Province, Zambia.
Bioethanol
Phase 1 – Cassava-to-Bioethanol Production
Phase 1 focuses on the development of a cassava-to-ethanol project, leveraging Sunbird’s operational experience in Zambia and proven international models from Thailand, a global leader in cassava-based biofuels.
The project will deliver:
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domestically produced renewable transport fuel,
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clean-cooking ethanol to displace firewood and charcoal,
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climate-resilient farming opportunities through large-scale outgrower programmes,
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reduced dependence on imported petroleum fuels.
Critically, the clean-cooking component will generate high-integrity carbon credits authorised under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, allowing Ethiopia to unlock climate finance while maintaining transparent national accounting.
SAF
Phase 2 – Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Phase 2 will establish Ethiopia’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility using the alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) pathway—converting renewable ethanol into drop-in jet fuel compatible with existing aircraft and airport systems.
Developed in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, the SAF programme will produce CORSIA-compliant fuel, supporting both the airline’s net-zero strategy and global aviation-sector decarbonisation.
SAF production will also generate high-integrity carbon benefits, certified under international aviation frameworks.