Nigeria Hosts Regional Workshop on Financing Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Inaugurates Six Technical Working Groups
Nigeria has taken a significant step toward greener skies by hosting a high-level regional workshop on Access to Finance for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production, held in Lagos from 5th to 9th May 2025.
According to Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, the event, which marked a milestone in Africa’s efforts toward aviation decarbonisation, attracted delegates from 14 African countries, international financial institutions, SAF project developers, and global aviation stakeholders.
Organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the five-day hybrid workshop formed part of the Assistance, Capacity Building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Africa–India Project.
Themed “Access to Finance for SAF Production,” the workshop addressed core challenges confronting SAF project financing on the continent.
Participants explored investment hurdles, risk mitigation strategies, bankability of SAF projects, and the roles of various stakeholders in achieving viable SAF production across Africa.
The final two days of the workshop featured the Nigeria Engagement on SAF, where discussions centred on the nation’s domestic roadmap for SAF development.
The highlight of the engagement was the official inauguration of six Technical Working Groups (TWGs) by the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo. Represented by the NCAA Regional Manager for Lagos, Barr. (Mrs.) Bukola Teriba, Capt. Najomo underscored the strategic significance of the TWGs in driving national progress on SAF.
The inaugurated TWGs will focus on the following thematic areas:
Policy and Regulation
Feedstock and Production
Funding and Investment
Technology and Innovation
Environmental and Social Impact
Infrastructure and Logistics
“These working groups will serve as strategic pillars for Nigeria’s SAF development, ensuring an integrated approach across policy frameworks, feedstock sourcing, infrastructure readiness, sustainable technology, and environmental stewardship,” Capt. Najomo stated in his address, delivered by Mrs. Teriba.
The workshop further provided a platform for robust engagement between SAF project developers and financiers. Key sessions confronted current investment realities, explored de-risking strategies, and enhanced understanding of SAF direct supply lines, including financial assessment tools.
Additionally, participants shared best practices in financing, identified and mapped key actors in the finance ecosystem, and examined existing financial instruments available to support SAF initiatives.
The initiative aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to the agency, improved access to finance for SAF projects will play a pivotal role in mitigating aviation’s environmental impact and fostering sustainable growth within the sector.
The workshop was coordinated by the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations of the NCAA and witnessed participation from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the EU Delegations to Nigeria and WACAF, as well as representatives from global organisations, industry stakeholders, and partners.
