EurAfrican Forum: „It’s wise to look at the south“

Our founder Martin Schoeller made a case for closer economic cooperation between Africa and Europe at the EurAfrican Forum last week in Portugal.

Last Wednesday, Martin Schoeller had the honour of opening the Energy Panel at the EurAfrican Forum in Portugal: There is “huge potential for synergies between the two continents,” he emphasised in his keynote. “As tensions in the East and in the West are rising, it is wise to look to the South from a European perspective.”

He went on to outline a vision of how stronger Africa–Europe cooperation can drive a truly global, fair and sustainable energy transition. “In my conviction, biofuels can make a major contribution to the energy of the future”, Schoeller said.

The major counter argument, especially in Germany is the so called “food versus fuel dilemma”, Martin said. “People are afraid that bio fuels compete for agricultural land that is needed for food.”

“Gamechanger for Africa and Europe”

However, this challenge can be overcome, he explained: Just one per cent of Africa’s land area would be enough to meet the continent’s own fuel needs. Two per cent would be enough to supply 200 million tonnes of biofuels to Europe – exactly the same amount that is currently supplied from the Middle East.

“That would be a game-changer for Africa and Europe. Africa’s biofuel potential must become a reality, not just a political talking point.”

A key driver, alongside the availability of land, is technological progress: innovative approaches make it possible to produce biofuels from waste, algae and other basic materials. Furthermore, innovations in agriculture are reducing the amount of area required, which can offset the loss of land caused by global warming.