Prospects for Rural Transformation and Socioenvironmental Dilemma in the Production and Uses of Liquid Biofuels in Eastern Africa Countries

Abstract

Liquid biofuels, mainly bioethanol and biodiesel have well developed technology and are highly needed in times of climate change as a transport and cooking fuel. Greenhouse gas emission reduction goals cannot be attained without including liquid biofuels. Accordingly, this review evaluated the prospects for rural transformation and socio-environmental dilemma in liquid biofuel production and uses in Eastern Africa countries of Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda from literatures of Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar, and contacting subject experts. The available large area of land, suitable climate, and diverse feedstocks are some of the rural prospects. Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania planned to make the energy mix 100% renewable by 2050, and Uganda 61% earlier. Sudan has great potential on molasses ethanol. In Tanzania, engines that run on jatropha oil were constructed for light. The main dilemmas were land use, insufficient feed stocks, initial finance, and weak institution. Local ownership of liquid biofuel production by smallholder farmers creates sustainable production through appropriate management of feed stocks, by institution. Therefore, liquid biofuel production should be integrated with rural agricultural practice of both smallholders and large-scale investors to assure its role in transforming Africa by industrializing the agricultural sector jobs.