CASSAVA-BASED STATE OF PLAY IN

THE BIOFUELS SECTOR IN ZAMBIA

By
Prof. Thomson Sinkala
tsinkala@gmail.com
CHAIRMAN
Biofuels Association of Zambia

Presented at the Workshop for Validating

CASSAVA STRATEGIC PLAN 2018 -2022 FOR THE CASSAVA SECTOR
Government Complex, Lusaka, Zambia

18th May, 2018

Content of Presentation
• Global biofuels production
• Progress on biofuels in Zambia
• Conclusion
GLOBAL BIOFUELS PRODUCTION
Global Ethanol Production 2017
(60 billion lit)

(27 billion lit)

(5.4 billion lit)

(3.3 billion lit)

Zambia
(1.7 billion lit)

(1.5 billion lit)

(1.2 billion lit)

0
(1.06 billion lit) Since 12 years ago
(1.76 billion lit)
 Global Biodiesel Production 2017

Zambia
0
Since 12
years ago

https://www.greenfacts.org/en/biofuels/figtableboxes/figure-18.htm
 THAILAND
2017 TOTAL ETHANOL: 1.4 billion liters
FEEDSTOCKS: Cassava, sugarcane, and sugarcane molasses
2017 Cassava-based ETHANOL PRODUCTION: 617 million liters (44%)
ROOT CASSAVA AMOUNT USED: 3.695 mln tonnes from 167,955 Ha
PROGRESS ON BIOFUELS IN ZAMBIA
Accomplished
1. Policy approved in November 2007;
2. SI 42 in April 2008;
3. Biofuels Standards in May 2008;
4. Blending Ratios in 2011;
5. Energy Regulation Board Issues the First License for
Production of Ethanol, in 2017; and
6. Constitution of the National Committee on the
Development of Biofuels in Zambia in 2018
Cassava-based Bioethanol Opportunities in Zambia
Petrol Consumption: 438 million litres/year
Market Demand at 10% blend: 44 million litres/year
Cooking ethanol consumption for e.g. 200,000 households: 200,000 lit/day
Cooking ethanol potential annual consumption in Lusaka: 73 million litres
Total forests saved: 34,246 hectares
Ethanol needs: 117 million lit/yr (10% blend + Lusaka charcoal replacement)
Cassava root required: 700,600 tonnes/year
 Cassava
Promotion
Only Planting
Tree two companies
Team presently active with cassava
1. GroAfrica
GrowAfrica is growing, promoting and training farmers on modern
agronomical methods of growing cassava of higher yields.
In the absence of bioethanol markets, the company is presently
supplying cassava for beverage industry.
In turn, the company is providing markets for farmers from whom it is
procuring the cassava.
The company is partially supported by Musika Development Initiative.
 2. Thomro Investments Limited
First Company Licensed by Energy Regulation Board to Produce Ethanol

Cassava Nursery
at Luongo,
Luapula Province

Ethanol Truck
Musika Support

1st out of 15 micro distilleries

Some Visitors to the Thomro Ethanol Plant

Copperbelt University Women

students and lecturers entrepreneurs
13
CONCLUSION
The Future of Cassava-Based Sector is Bright
 Government Needs to Facilitate with Sector-
Friendly Funding as it does for e.g Mining Sector
Mining sector diversification programme,
2002 – 2006 (Euro 30 million)
Thank you for your attention