Nairobi, Kenya, October 8, 2025 — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Kenya Airways (KQ) have unveiled a joint sustainability roadmap and policy package aimed at boosting the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) across Africa, in what industry stakeholders have hailed as a major step toward greener skies.
The announcement followed a high-level executive roundtable convened in Nairobi by the two carriers, which brought together 20 senior representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The meeting, held under the banner of SkyTeam’s Aviation Challenge, marked a policy breakthrough for Africa’s aviation sector as stakeholders agreed on comprehensive regulatory recommendations to accelerate SAF uptake. The proposed measures include blending mandates, incentives for producers, and streamlined certification processes across African markets.
KLM and KQ said the joint roadmap — developed as part of the discussions — outlines concrete milestones and pilot projects to drive regional investment in SAF production, beginning with Kenya and the Netherlands.
“Africa holds enormous potential to lead in a more sustainable aviation, and collaboration is the key,” said Zita Schellekens, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Strategy and Transformation at Air France–KLM. “Today’s roundtable was a meaningful step toward aligning policy, infrastructure, and innovation to unlock scalable SAF solutions tailored to the region’s strengths.”
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said the initiative aligns with the continent’s broader sustainability goals. “As Africa’s aviation landscape transforms, we must ensure that growth is both inclusive and sustainable. KQ is committed to working with partners, regulators, and communities to lay the groundwork for a SAF ecosystem that benefits our industry and the continent as a whole,” he said.
The roundtable emphasized the need for harmonised regulatory frameworks to attract private investment in SAF production and infrastructure, including blending and storage facilities at major African airports. Participants also called for regional collaboration to tap Africa’s vast biomass resources — especially in East and Southern Africa — to produce SAF feedstock from renewable materials like waste oils and agricultural residues.
The meeting further resolved to establish joint training programs and research partnerships with universities and technical institutes to develop local expertise in sustainable aviation engineering and fuel technologies.
Hosted as part of SkyTeam’s annual Aviation Challenge initiative, this year’s edition spotlighted Nairobi as a global hub for sustainability innovation, with KLM operating showcase flights into the city to test greener aviation practices.
Aviation currently accounts for about 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, according to IATA, and passenger traffic in Africa is projected to double by 2035. The new policy roadmap, industry observers say, could position Africa as a strategic hub for clean aviation energy while helping the sector align with the global goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
