Nairobi, Kenya, July 5, 2024 – Kenya Airways and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a strategic partnership aimed at intensifying the fight against trafficking in persons and enhancing the protection of migrants.
The collaboration brings together IOM Kenya’s expertise in migration governance and Kenya Airways’ extensive aviation network, to implement robust measures that will identify, prevent, combat trafficking in persons and facilitate regular pathways. This partnership is a testament to the commitment of both organizations to uphold human dignity and support the most vulnerable individuals on the move, promoting regular pathways.
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Allan Kilavuka, said, “The collaboration with IOM Kenya demonstrates our dedication to corporate social responsibility and the well-being of all travellers. We are committed to providing our staff with the necessary training and resources to assist migrants, particularly those in vulnerable situations.”
Ms. Dimanche Sharon, IOM Chief of Mission, stated, “This MOU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of migrants. By joining forces with Kenya Airways, we can enhance our outreach and impact, ensuring that migration is safe and beneficial for all.”
Key initiatives under the MOU:
Training and Awareness: Kenya Airways staff will receive specialized training from IOM to recognize and respond to improve coordination to assist migrants in vulnerable situations.
Policy Development: Joint efforts will be made to advocate for policies that create a safer travel environment and disrupt traffickers’ operations.
Information Sharing: A framework for sharing information between the airline and IOM will be established to facilitate timely interventions.
The partnership represents a significant step towards ensuring the well-being and rights of migrants are upheld, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive society. Together, they will make a difference
This year’s environment day theme of accelerating land restoration aligns perfectly with Africa’s need to revitalize its soils, a critical yet often overlooked solution to Africa’s ongoing challenges of agricultural productivity. Healthy soils and landscapes have a direct positive influence on our livelihoods and environment.
Land degradation in Africa is severe, while the continent’s soil organic content falls below the benchmark. Land degradation, which includes soil erosion, desertification, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity, poses a significant risk to food systems, especially in Africa, where agriculture forms the backbone of many economies and sustains the livelihoods of many people. According to FAO’s, State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2022 report, over 58% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa experiences moderate to severe food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by declining soil health.
The soil and fertilizer summit highlighted the crucial role of soil health in Africa’s food systems. Case in point, the severe soil erosion in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley region has led to a significant decrease in agricultural yields, ranging from 30% to 50%. Decline in soil health not only affected plant nutrient supply but also aggravated drought effects. This decline has had a profound impact on food availability for millions of people. Similarly, in the Southern region of Africa, countries like Malawi and Zimbabwe have seen a 30% decrease in maize yields, which is the staple crop for the region.
These statistics paint a clear picture of the interconnectedness between soil health and food security.
Another significance of soil health that became apparent during the summit is its intrinsic link to climate change mitigation. Soil could be the single most important resource to enhance both food security and climate change mitigation in sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, soils can also operate as climate change solutions; significantly more carbon is stored in the world’s soils than in the atmosphere. It is unfortunate that African countries, reliant on natural resources, are among the most impacted by climate change. Currently, 17 out of the 20 countries most impacted by climate change are in Africa, partly due to limited investment in managing their soils and landscapes.
The recent flooding in Kenya and the drought in Zimbabwe clearly depict extreme weather patterns exacerbated by climate change. In Kenya, severe flooding has displaced thousands of people, destroyed crops, and eroded fertile soils, further diminishing the agricultural productivity and response capacity of affected regions.
With a healthy climate comes healthy soils, meaning enhanced water retention, reduced erosion, and increased resilience against extreme weather patterns. By investing in soil health, African countries can better withstand the adverse effects of climate change that affect our lands. Additionally, healthy soils are also producing nutrient dense, healthy food. It also hosts of a wide array of organisms that contribute to biodiversity, which is crucial for the ecosystem’s stability and resilience. Diverse soil ecosystems can support plant health and growth, reduce the prevalence of pests and diseases, and enhance nutrient cycling.
Healthy soils require integrated management, which includes i) application of balanced nutrients, coming from organic and mineral sources; ii) they should be enriched by organic matter through application of manure, compost, crop residue and other sources; iii) acidic and saline soils should be conditioned through application of lime and other soil conditioners; iv) our soils should be protected from wind and water erosion, v) they should not be frequently plowed to conserve the carbon and soil water and vi) most importantly, the soil microbial biodiversity should receive as much attention.
Evidently, enhancing soil health will be one of the most important environmental factors for ensuring the survival of humanity during the 21st century. This key factor will likely be more important than ever before as the expanding global human population faces the unprecedented challenges of a rapidly changing climate.
It is up to us- policymakers, development partners, farmers, and scientists, to recognize and act upon this information and provide solutions to manage and restore our soils. By restoring our soils, we can enhance productivity, combat climate change and preserve biodiversity.
The time to act is now!
The Author is the Director of climate change, Sustainable Productivity and Resilience at AGRA and a Professor of Systems Agronomy
Nairobi, Thursday July 4th,2024: Investors in Kenya’s tourism sector have been encouraged to seize the opportunities presented by the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) to network and explore partnerships with global buyers, in a quest to improve tourism business in the country.
Tourism PS John Ololtuaa says that MKTE has been instrumental in facilitating local small and medium travel enterprises and start-ups to access international markets given that over 60% of the travel companies that exhibit at the expo can’t afford to participate in expos abroad.
This, he affirms, can be the catalyst to the exponential growth of Kenya’s tourism sector coupled with the diversification of our products.
“MKTE has over the years created linkages and partnerships between local tourism enterprises and regional and international source markets. This has opened up new opportunities that have seen tremendous growth of local businesses in the tourism value chain. As a ministry, we recognize the immense potential that MKTE offers, especially to MSMEs in the tourism sector looking to establish themselves globally,” said PS Ololtuaa.
The PS was speaking during an MKTE partners’ event whose 14th edition is set to be held from October 2nd-4th, 2024 at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.
The partners had come together to explore collaboration opportunities and ways of enhancing the premier travel show in the East Africa Region.
In 2023, MKTE hosted over 3,000 delegates from 25 countries showcasing Kenya’s diverse tourism offerings to the world. The 2024 edition will be targeting to attract 5,000 delegates, and 160 hosted buyers including over 100 buyers’ clubs. MKTE also returns as a standalone expo after a successful joint expo last year with the East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE), which offered the EAC member states an opportunity to network and explore new tourism business opportunities.
PS Ololtuaa commitment to continued public-private sector engagement geared towards creating an enabling environment for tourism businesses to thrive.
“As a ministry, we keen on continuously reviewing and reforming our policies to ensure that we create a conducive environment that allows tourism businesses, especially those at the grassroots, to realize their full potential,” added the PS.
The PS also rallied stakeholders to focus efforts towards promoting domestic tourism as well, which remains an untapped opportunity.
“As we seek to attract international visitors, we must not lose sight of the immense potential that lies in promoting domestic tourism as well. We need to further encourage Kenyans to explore their own country and take advantage of the high-quality experiences and facilities available right here at home,” said Ololtuaa.
On her part, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO June Chepkemei expressed optimism that MKTE 2024 will build on the successes of previous editions.
“MKTE has built its reputation over the years as a consistent and affordable platform for Kenyan travel trade, County Governments and affiliated brands in providing access to international suppliers and markets,” Chepkemei stated.
“This year, we are looking to increase hosted buyers from new source markets such as Americas – Brazil and Mexico; Asia – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Australia besides the key source markets in Europe and Africa, in line with our destination diversification strategy,” said Chepkemei.
She added that KTB is working towards the targeted 3 million visitors by the end of 2024.
Kenya Airways (KQ) has been awarded the “Best Airline Staff Service in Africa” at the 2024 World Airline Awards held on June 24th, 2024, at the Fairmont Windsor Park in London.
Hosted by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, the World Airline Awards are renowned as the “Oscars of the aviation industry.” This recognition signifies the exceptional dedication and outstanding service that Kenya Airways’ staff consistently delivers.
Commenting on the award, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional service demonstrated by our team members each day. Receiving the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa award serves as a significant motivation for us to continue striving for excellence in service delivery and passenger satisfaction”
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, echoed the sentiment, stating, “We congratulate Kenya Airways on this achievement of being named as the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa at the 2024 World Airline Awards. This service and hospitality accolade should be a source of pride for the management and staff of Kenya Airways.”
The policy and legislative environment is a key driver of agricultural transformation. Policy and regulatory regimes “define the rules of the game”. They regulate the roles and behaviour of players in the sector, determine resource allocation, and assign incentives and disincentives accordingly.
Policies shape the business environment by influencing costs, risks, and competition barriers for different players in the agricultural value chain. This in turn extensively affects investment decisions not only by the government but also by the private sector. Thus, by a single stroke of a policy or law, the government can shift the direction and pace of agricultural development.
Opinion leaders in agricultural development agree that the observed changes in Africa’s agriculture and economic fortunes over time have much to do with the policies that African leaders have chosen than anything else. Weak policies and poor legislative decisions have shaped the continent’s agriculture and economic growth by stifling investments in skills, technology, services, and infrastructure.
Whereas regulation is important to ensure safe agricultural practices, setting quality standards, encouraging innovation and sustainable use of resources; heavy regulation creates burdensome procedures and high transaction costs and can be detrimental, especially to small players. Therefore, the benefits of regulations should always outweigh its social and economic costs. Excessive regulation with opaque discretion and overbearing regulations in the agriculture sector can constrain innovation and trade, to the detriment of poor farmers in the rural villages in the continent.
Agriculture policy and legislative regimes are very dynamic. Governments are constantly enacting new policies and revising existing ones. Yet, a lingering question is how grounded these decisions are in solid data and evidence. Many times, policies have had unintended negative consequences, while others are lacking in key aspects that ensure effectiveness, equity, and sustainability.
Consider the policies enacted by African countries since independence. In the 1960s-1980s, many nations implemented import substitution industrialization policies, which included trade restrictions like import barriers, marketing controls, and export taxes. These measures aimed to protect nascent industries from competition. However, they inadvertently raised prices for imported fertilizer and equipment, while exports lost competitiveness due to currency appreciation.
The infamous Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) instituted in the 1980s-1990s pushed for better incentives for producers and reduced restrictions for the private sector to invest by eliminating public agricultural marketing boards, ending subsidies, deregulating agricultural pricing and marketing. Evidence is mixed, but many countries experienced strong productivity growth in the 2000s, as a result of macroeconomic stabilization.
At the continental level, the post-2000s era policy has been driven by the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These commitments require countries to allocate at least 10 percent of public expenditures to agriculture, achieve a 6 percent average annual agricultural growth rate, and reduce restrictions to intra-African agricultural trade, among others. Although CAADP has resulted in increased prominence of agriculture in policy agendas and therefore expenditure and funding, research shows that most of the funding has been allocated to input subsidies.
The subsidies, although associated with increased use of inputs and higher agricultural yields, are poorly designed and rife with inefficiency, bias, and corruption. Implementation of the AfCFTA is constrained by the continued use of temporary regional trade restriction policies, ostensibly as countries seek to respond to food supply and deficit conditions. The International Trade Centre data finds that 70% of African food exporters are affected by challenges related to non-tariff measures. These trade-restricting policy measures sometimes founder and push prices higher.
Ex-ante policy analysis and pre-legislative assessments utilize predictive analysis techniques to forecast the impact of a policy or legislation prior to its implementation. During an ex-ante evaluation, policymakers gather data and evidence to assess the thoroughness of problem/gap diagnostics, relevance and coherence of proposed strategies and objectives to users, consistency with other policies and strategies, pragmatism of expected results, and economic and social impacts on various stakeholders and their activities.
Policies informed by data and evidence are more likely to be effective, equitable, and sustainable. Yet, despite the clear benefits, there are many instances where agriculture policy and legislative decisions are driven more by political expedience or ideology than by data and evidence.
Policymakers in Africa face data availability and quality challenges. Outdated, incomplete, and biased data hinder effective decision-making. Political interests often override evidence-based choices. For instance, despite evidence of inefficiency, bias, and corruption, some governments persistently implement publicly driven input subsidy programs instead of exploring private sector-driven alternatives.
To overcome such challenges, African governments and partners should invest in robust data collection and analytics infrastructure (technology) and skilling (training of personnel to analyze and interpret data). To effectively utilize the data for policy, a culture of transparency and accountability, where data and the rationale behind policy decisions are shared publicly to build trust with stakeholders should be fostered. The CAADP Biennial Review process is an example of a publicly available accountability mechanism where the performance of countries against the various Malabo declaration indicators is tracked. Lastly, the role of stakeholder engagement cannot be ignored.
Inclusion of various interest groups such as scientist groups and think tanks, provides reliable evidence and exchange of knowledge, while public engagement enhances scrutiny, relevance, and acceptance of policies.
Authored by Dr Davis Muthini who is a Policy Analyst at AGRA
By Fahreen Chudasama, Director Development Cooperation
In the competitive African agribusiness sector, smaller Agri-SMEs run and owned by women frequently face disproportionate disruptions to their operations.
The pivotal roles played by women across the agriculture value chain, coupled with Africa’s burgeoning number of women entrepreneurs, underscore the urgency for targeted support to fortify their enterprises against the challenges they face.
Women make up more than 50% of Africa’s population and 80% of them reside in rural areas. Over 60% are employed in rural areas in the agriculture sector. Given the limited capacity of other sectors to absorb the growing labor force, agriculture will remain important for employment and livelihoods for the foreseeable future for young people in both farming and related activities.
With Africa predicted to be home to 25% of the world’s population by 2050, African agriculture and food systems MUST be inclusive with women and young ppl being at the forefront of our future solutions. AGRA’s mission is to fill in the gaps by supporting the inclusive transformation of the ecosystem.
A shining example of this mission is the African Resilience and Investment Series for Women Executives (ARISE) program. ARISE, which was created to give women in agribusiness the tools they need to secure money and negotiate the complex post-pandemic financial landscape, is evidence of Africa’s dedication to women’s empowerment and gender equality. ARISE’s training courses are carefully designed to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary information and abilities to succeed in the dynamic business world.
Moreover, ARISE doesn’t merely scratch the surface; it delves deep into bridging the gaps between the internal workings of Agri-MSMEs and the expectations of private investors. By addressing crucial aspects such as the vision and mindset of business leaders, management skills, financial reporting processes, and understanding investors’ expectations, ARISE ensures that women-led enterprises are well-positioned for success.
The program’s approach extends beyond traditional training methods, incorporating innovative strategies to boost engagement and empower participants. From hosting tailored seminars to address the diverse needs of MSMEs navigating financing complexities, to enhancing understanding of business development services and bolstering the self-esteem of women executives. ARISE leaves no stone unturned in its quest to level the playing field for women in agribusiness.
However, navigating the path to empowerment is not without its challenges. Despite drawing significant registration numbers, ARISE grapples with the issue of securing active participation, particularly in virtual training sessions. This underscores the complexities inherent in engaging MSMEs in remote learning environments and emphasizes the need for ongoing adaptation and innovation to overcome these barriers.
As ARISE continues to evolve and refine its approach, it remains essential to stay attuned to the evolving needs of its members. Conducting thorough assessments and needs analyses enables ARISE to tailor its responses effectively, ensuring that women entrepreneurs receive the support they need to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.
ARISE is poised to make even greater strides in empowering women-led MSMEs, particularly those with growth-oriented models. By expanding offerings such as the Gender-Smart Executives program, ARISE aims to propel these businesses forward, driving engagement, registration, and creating additional value in the process.
As ARISE reaffirms its commitment to guiding women-led MSMEs towards a future defined by prosperity and possibility, it underscores Africa’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
Through resilience, innovation, and collaboration, the enhanced ARISE Program illuminates’ pathways towards a more sustainable and inclusive agribusiness sector, where women’s empowerment is not just a goal but a reality for all.
Nairobi, 19th June 2024 – Kenya Airways (KQ) has resumed direct flights between Nairobi and Maputo today, with three flights weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The relaunch of direct flights to Maputo from Nairobi will cater to travellers originating from Kenya and serves as a convenient connection point for passengers from other African cities via Nairobi.
The expansion will enable Kenya Airways to enhance intra-Africa connectivity, a key driver of economic growth, trading opportunities, and business expansions among local and inter-continental economies. The new route complements KQ’s existing service to Nampula, Mozambique, further solidifying its regional presence.
“Today’s launch is a tangible testament to KQ’s remarkable progress and the exciting future ahead. As we unveil our 45th destination -Maputo – we mark a major milestone in our network expansion journey,” says the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allan Kilavuka.
Beyond Maputo, this expansion complements KQ’s broader network strategy for 2024, which also boasts increased frequencies to popular destinations like New York, Paris, Lagos, Accra, and Freetown.
“Aviation is critical to boosting national GDPs by creating jobs and fostering economic activity. The increased intra-African travel will act as a catalyst for economic development across the continent. Our passion lies in fostering connections across the continent, making trade and travel between our nations more accessible than ever before,” Allan Kilavuka further added.
Speaking at the same event, Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, noted that KQ’s expansion is linked to KQ’s mission of propelling Africa’s prosperity by connecting its people, markets and cultures. “The demand for air travel is soaring, and we’re determined to meet it by expanding our reach and fostering connections between Africa’s rich cultures and thriving economies. Adding Maputo to our network strengthens ties between Kenya and Mozambique, opening doors for increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.” he said.
Beyond its designation as a major trade hub for southern Africa, Maputo enchants visitors with its rich tapestry of history and culture. Portuguese colonial influences are evident in the city’s architecture, while vibrant markets and a flourishing art scene offer a glimpse into contemporary Mozambican life. Whether you seek relaxation on pristine beaches or explore fascinating museums, Maputo promises an unforgettable experience.
Makueni County, Kenya- June 14, 2024: Mituvu residents in Makueni County will now access clean water for domestic use thanks to Betika Na Community Foundation – the social investment arm of Betika, having drilled a borehole with a yield of 14 cubic meters of water aimed at improving the resident’s lifelines.
Betika Na Community Foundation invested over 10 million into the sinking of the Mituvu borehole as part of its wider effort to support vulnerable communities across the country. The borehole comes fully equipped with solar panels to power water extraction and distribution. Betika has over the years remained committed to support communities to access sufficient, safe, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.
The borehole comes as a relief to the community particularly women and school-going children, who previously had to travel long distances to draw water from unsupervised water points while paying exorbitantly for the precious commodity.
In Kenya, Makueni County is classified under the Arid and Semi-Arid locations (ASAL) that faces dire rainfall shortage which makes access to clean water a challenge.
A report by UNICEF shows that nearly half of rural Kenyans lack access to basic water services, with many relying on unsafe surface water to meet their daily needs. Additionally, seven per cent of health facilities in the country either use water from an improved source that is more than 500 meters from the facility, use an unimproved source or have no water source at all.
Speaking at the launch of the borehole, Mutua Mutava, Betika Managing Director stated, “We are incredibly proud of this project and the positive impact it will have on the community. Access to clean water is essential for life and by harnessing the power of solar energy, we are making strides towards a more sustainable and equitable future. In our rural communities, many still face daily challenges in obtaining this basic resource. By supporting them, we can help improve their health, dignity, and overall quality of life. It’s not just a drop in the ocean; it’s a wave of hope for humanity.”
Mutua Mutava also mentioned that Betika Na Community is dedicated to fostering collaboration between the brand, county governments, and other development partners to tackle water shortages in various counties. This commitment includes investing in the water sector, rehabilitating existing water projects like sand dams, water pans, and boreholes, completing unfinished water projects, and enhancing the proper management of current water sources.
“We are immensely grateful for this transformative borehole project. The water scarcity situation is severe, but the installation of the new borehole is expected to solve many challenges in agriculture and healthcare. The borehole will provide water to Mituvu primary and secondary schools, the Mituvu health care center, the chief’s camp, and the surrounding community of Mituvu. We are grateful to Betika and the Chairperson Dr. Jane Makau for their timely intervention. This is a huge relief to thousands of households and service facilities here,” stated the Chief Mr. James Juma
“Betika, thank you for this initiative. I hope that this gesture is part of a broader commitment from you to sustainable development and community empowerment. Moving forward, I hope other corporates replicate this successful model in other regions and provide clean water and renewable energy to underserved communities countrywide. The addition of solar panels will ensue that there is consistent water supply even with limited access to electricity. I am happy I accepted this invite because I have witnessed a tremendous initiative for the people of Mituvu”, said Dr. Jane Makau, Chairperson BCLB.
Nairobi, June 14th, 2024 _ Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) convened its 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually this morning. The AGM, attended by shareholders, was presided over by Board Chairman Mr. Michael Joseph, who presented a comprehensive review of the audited financial results and business performance for the year ended December 31, 2023.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all resolutions in accordance with the provisions of the company’s Articles of Association, the Companies Act, 2015, the Capital Markets Act, and its Regulations. This included the adoption of the audited financial statements, including the Balance Sheet for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Directors’ and Auditors’ Reports, and the Directors’ Remuneration for the same period as outlined in the Annual Report and Financial Statements.
Furthermore, shareholders passed resolutions concerning the election of Directors, including any retirements.
According to Mr. Joseph, Kenya Airways (KQ) has made significant strides in its business operations throughout the year, reflecting in its improved financial performance. He noted that 2023 marked a pivotal moment for KQ.
“The ongoing recovery and strategic turnaround initiatives have resulted in KQ achieving an operating profit of Ksh 10.5 billion. This milestone is particularly significant as it marks the first time in over seven years that the airline has attained such a level of financial success, signaling a positive trajectory for KQ’s future,” said Joseph.
Mr. Allan Kilavuka, Group MD and CEO, emphasised Kenya Airways’ commitment to building upon the achievements of its turnaround strategy, Project Kifaru, with a primary focus on completing the capital restructuring plan. The objectives of this plan include reducing the company’s financial leverage and enhancing liquidity to ensure normalised operations.
“Through the retirement of legacy debts, strengthening of financial foundations, and pursuit of operational excellence, recapitalization will position Kenya Airways to thrive in a competitive and dynamic aviation landscape,” said Kilavuka.
He further stated, “Our key priorities also include enhancing customer experience and operational excellence, particularly improving our On-Time Performance. We aim to drive revenue growth by expanding operations, passenger charters, and partnerships, while remaining steadfast in fostering innovation, forging partnerships, and nurturing a culture of excellence for KQ’s sustainable success.” The voting results of the Annual General Meeting are accessible on www.kenya-airways.com
Nairobi, 13th June 2024, Kenya Airways (KQ) has been proudly recognized as the only African airline actively supporting the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
This comes on the backdrop of the national carrier being awarded the Most Impactful Breakthrough award for pioneering the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a long-haul flight from Africa to Europe in October 2023. The pilot flight was the first pathway to testing the use of SAF within Africa generating valuable data and insights that are to inform policy decisions, regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices.
“By playing a crucial role in the development of the registry, KQ contributes significantly to building trust and confidence in SAF as a viable solution for minimizing aviation’s environmental impact,” notes Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka.
SAF is expected to account for up to 65% of the total carbon mitigation needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions in air transportation by 2050. The SAF registry that is to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2025 will enable airlines worldwide to buy sustainable aviation fuel regardless of where it is produced and have certainty they can claim the environmental benefits of the SAF they have purchased for regulatory compliance purposes.
“SAF is key to aviation’s decarbonization,” says Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Airlines want more SAF and stand ready to use every drop of it. The SAF Registry will help meet the critical needs of all stakeholders as part of the global effort to ramp up SAF production.”
The IATA’s Director General also notes that Governments need a trusted system to track the quality and quantities of SAF used. “SAF producers need to accurately account for what has been delivered and effectively decarbonized. Corporate customers must also be able to transparently account for their Scope 3 emissions. And airlines must have certainty that they can claim the environmental benefits of the SAF they purchased,” he reiterated.
The development of the registry is being supported in a pilot phase by seventeen national airlines; IAG airline group, six national authorities, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Airbus, Boeing and GE Aerospace, and fuel producer World Energy.
These collaborations serve the specific purpose of ensuring compliance with the regulations set by civil aviation authorities such as ICAO’s CORSIA scheme and the EU ETS, as well as ensuring compliance with SAF mandates and providing transparency to authorities regarding emissions reductions.
With its focus on compliance, transparency, and government collaboration, the registry will pave the way for a robust and accountable system that accelerates the use of SAF and facilitates a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.
