Ethiopian Minerals Corporation Signs MoU with Sunbird Bioenergy to Boost Renewable Energy

Addis Ababa, October 24, 2025 (ENA) - The Ethiopian Mineral Corporation and Sunbird Bioenergy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing the country's renewable energy and biofuel production capacity aligned with its green economic transformation agenda.

Speaking at signing ceremony, the CEO of Ethiopian Minerals Corporation emphasized that the partnership marks a new chapter in Ethiopia’s journey toward environmental resilience.

“Today’s event signifies far more than a corporate partnership—it represents a strategic collaboration in support of Ethiopia’s national vision for sustainable growth, energy independence, and green transformation,” the CEO said.

 With over 80 years of institutional legacy, the CEO underlined that EMC remains a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s natural resource development, ensuring that the nation and its people fully benefit from the country’s vast mineral, petroleum, and biofuel resources.

“Through this partnership with Sunbird Bioenergy Africa, we are embarking on a new chapter that expands our engagement in renewable energy and biofuel production—key pillars of our national economic reform and environmental resilience,” he stated.

The collaboration focuses on the development of integrated bioenergy project that will produce bioethanol from cassava, with a long-term vision to expand into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, it was indicated.

The initiative is expected to contribute to Ethiopia’s efforts to enhance energy security, reduce foreign fuel dependency, and create rural employment opportunities.

“Sunbird’s proven experience in bioenergy development across Africa, combined with EMC’s institutional strength... makes this partnership a model for public-private collaboration in strategic sectors,” he noted.

He added that “we ensure that our natural resources serve as engines of national prosperity and self-reliance.”

The CEO expressed appreciation to Sunbird Bioenergy Africa for its confidence in Ethiopia and called upon key government institutions, including the Ethiopian Investment Holding, the Ministry of Water and Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture, to continue their support for the full implementation of the project.

On his part, Sunbird Bioenergy Africa CEO Richard Bennet said the his company is the largest renewable fuel producer across Africa and play a key role in driving the continent’s net-zero energy transition.

“Together, we will deliver a high-impact project for all stakeholders — creating jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production; enhancing energy security, reducing fuel imports,  saving foreign exchange and supporting environmental sustainability,” Bennet elaborated.

According to the CEO, Sunbird Bioenergy uses proven bioethanol production technology, sourcing cassava both from nucleus farms and out-grower schemes.

Ethiopia has the potential to become a continental leader in bioethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, he pointed out.

Ethiopia's biofuel need is on the rise, it was indicated.

He said the company  expects more biofuel product needed in Ethiopia as the national blending mandate of E10 can reach to E20.

Biofuel from Ethiopia could replace kerosene and help households transit to biofuel and easily replace charcoal, and LPG.

Stating that a 10 percent SAF blend target could reach 530,000 million liters per year by 2028–2029, he noted that the industrial-scale project could transform Ethiopia’s biofuel landscape.

Bennet further highlighted that six kilograms of cassava can produce one liter of petrol-equivalent bioethanol, while ten kilograms can yield one liter of SAF.

With a potential scale-up to 200,000 hectares of cassava cultivation, the project could create up to 120,000 jobs and produce around 600 million liters of renewable fuel annually.

Conveying a message through his advisor,Kedil Magist Ibrahim, Minister of Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime stressed “This partnership reflects our shared vision to unlock Ethiopia’s immense natural resource potential through innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration,” he stated.

“Our strategy aims to modernize the transport network, reduce lifecycle emissions, and ensure reliable logistics for national development,” he said.

The agreement came at a pivotal time as Ethiopia advances its national strategy to responsibly harness its natural resources and transition to a low-carbon economy, he said.

Ethiopian Airlines Group Treasurer Temesgen Getaye, representing the airline’s CEO, underscored the importance of the partnership in aligning the economy, ecology, and aviation sector with Ethiopia’s national ambitions.

“Today marks a milestone that brings economy, ecology, aviation, and national ambition into alignment,” he said.

“As we grow our network, modernize our fleet, and open new routes, we face urgent environmental and climate challenges. We recognize the dual imperative to fuel Africa’s connectivity and economic development — and to do so responsibly, with a commitment to our planet’s future and our industry’s legacy.”