Challenges of Liquid Biofuel Policies and Institutions in Eastern Africa Countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania

Abstract

Most African countries made deliberate decisions to invest in liquid biofuel leading to the formulation of the bioenergy strategy in 2007. The study on challenges and policies on liquid biofuels was conducted in eastern Africa countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to understand institutional, marketing, and policy challenges. The study was based on interviews and discussions with stakeholders related to liquid biofuels. In marketing, policies affecting business were not stable as strongly agreed by 36.4% of the respondents, and agreed by 45.5% of the respondents. The liquid biofuels especially biodiesel was relatively new in the countries, and most relevant issues were unknown. The major problems  with liquid biofuels were  land rights that created conflict as stated by 54.5% of the respondents, lack of updated policies and strategies focusing on .provision of incentives, institutional strengthening, l monitoring and evaluation systems. The liquid biofuel investment in eastern Africa was affected by crop and forest land because it was not based on pre-assessment of land use planning. The 2010s failure of the eastern Africa Governments ambitious plan to produce liquid biofuels was caused by institutional, market, and technical challenges which can be solved by creating smallholders awareness, and modifying policies.