The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at building the country's capacity for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), under the International Civil Aviation Organization's ACT-SAF Assistance Project. The agreement was signed on Thursday, 27 August 2026, positioning Nigeria among the group of ICAO member states receiving structured technical support to develop domestic SAF pathways.
ICAO's ACT-SAF (Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels) programme is designed to help member states assess feasibility, build regulatory frameworks and attract investment for SAF production and uptake, as the global aviation industry works toward long-term carbon reduction targets set through ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
Why It Matters for Nigeria
Nigeria's aviation sector, like much of Africa's, currently has little to no domestic SAF production or blending infrastructure, leaving airlines dependent on conventional jet fuel and exposed to global price volatility. A formal capacity-building partnership with ICAO gives the NCAA structured technical assistance to evaluate feedstock options, regulatory requirements and potential investment models, rather than approaching the transition without external expertise.
Next Steps
The MOU itself is a framework for cooperation rather than an immediate production commitment. Implementation will depend on follow-through from Nigerian authorities and coordination with industry stakeholders including fuel suppliers, airlines and airport operators. The NCAA has not yet published a detailed timeline for feasibility studies or pilot initiatives under the agreement.