USGC Targets Africa for Ethanol Export Potential
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is working to gain an understanding of ethanol markets in Africa and to frame the potential to build export relationships across the continent.
Brian Healy, manager of ethanol export market development for the organization, traveled to Kenya to engage with senior government officials in regard to ethanol production, usage, and trade in the region.
A growing middle class, greater development, and easier access to capital have led to Kenya being a notable importer of gasoline, however, the country is currently not blending ethanol into their fuel supply due to lacking infrastructure. Despite this, the country has had an ethanol mandate in place since 2010, and Healy states that there exists opportunities to increase U.S. ethanol exports to Kenya and other countries across Africa.
In many cases U.S. ethanol is already being shipped into Africa via the Persian Gulf, which has the infrastructure in place for refining and blending. With this knowledge, the USGC is working to develop relationships with potential new African markets that are aligned with the culture of each country.
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