Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Satarem America Inc. to partner on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Ethiopia.

Satarem shall produce SAF in the country, and Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to acquire the SAF from Satarem. With this MoU, Ethiopian Airlines Group has solidified its commitment to sustainability. This strategic partnership marks a significant step Ethiopian Airlines is taking towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

The MoU with Satarem America Inc., a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, will enable Ethiopian Airlines Group to incorporate SAF into its operations, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting global efforts to combat climate change.

SAF is a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel, produced from sustainable feedstocks that can lower greenhouse gas emissions. Regarding the move, Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group said, “We are excited to partner with Satarem America Inc in our journey towards a greener and more sustainable future. The adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel is not just a business decision; it reflects our commitment to combating climate change and investing in innovative solutions that support a sustainable industry.”

This partnership with Satarem America Inc. reaffirms Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a pioneer in adopting eco-friendly aviation solutions, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining high standards of environmental performance and contributing to the broader sustainability goals of the aviation industry.

As one of Africa’s largest airlines, the airline has implemented various initiatives, including fleet modernisation, optimised flight operations, tree planting, and extensive recycling programs to minimize waste and emissions. The integration of SAF into its operations will further enhance these efforts, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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