Biofuels Policy of Zimbabwe.

The Biofuels Policy is a subsectoral policy document designed to provide strategic guidance for the development of Zimbabwe’s biofuels sector and to establish an enabling environment for the implementation of viable biofuels projects, with a particular focus on the transport sector, towards the achievement of national energy objectives by 2030. To this end, the Policy seeks to: (i) bridge the national energy supply gap by increasing domestic biofuels production and strengthening security of supply; (ii) promote investment across the biofuels value chain by establishing a transparent and competitive environment that provides a level playing field for all sector participants; and (iii) address market inefficiencies by enhancing competition, improving market access and promoting decentralised approaches to the development and implementation of biofuels projects. The Policy is closely aligned with the National Energy Policy of 2012, which provides for the optimal supply and utilisation of energy in a safe, sustainable and environmentally responsible manner, while promoting access to modern energy solutions and the development and utilisation of renewable energy sources. The National Energy Policy provided the overarching framework for the development of the Biofuels Policy, ensuring consistency with the Ministry’s vision of achieving universal access to sustainable and modern energy in Zimbabwe by 2030.
The Policy covers the period up to 2030 and focuses primarily on liquid biofuels for the transport sector, initially prioritising ethanol produced from sugar cane and biodiesel derived from Jatropha, while also exploring the potential of alternative feedstocks. Its framework is built around four interrelated pillars - economic, agricultural, environmental, and social and institutional - which collectively address the key challenges and enabling conditions for the sustainable development of the biofuels sector. Within this framework, the Policy seeks to establish a consistent and sustainable ethanol blending ratio of up to 20% and introduce biodiesel blending of up to 2% by 2030, while encouraging greater participation and investment across the biofuels value chain. To achieve these ambitions, it sets out five strategic objectives that address the sector’s long-term viability, growth and sustainability; the maintenance of product quality and standards; improved productivity and the economic viability of feedstock production; the promotion of biofuels development pathways that balance investment with biodiversity conservation and the prevention of water and air pollution; and the adoption of production models that maximise community benefits while strengthening institutional cooperation and coordination. The economic pillar seeks to balance the objectives of reducing reliance on fuel imports, creating rural development opportunities and improving the trade balance with Zimbabwe’s constrained fiscal position and the relatively high cost of domestic biofuels production, while promoting greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness across the sector. The agricultural pillar focuses on enhancing productivity, optimising feedstock production costs and promoting sustainable farming practices to ensure a reliable and economically viable supply of raw materials at competitive yields and costs. The environmental pillar promotes sustainable biofuels production and use by minimising greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and biodiversity loss, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and safeguarding human health and natural ecosystems. Finally, the social pillar seeks to foster inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development by protecting community rights, safeguarding food security, ensuring biofuel quality and acceptability, and promoting the health and safety of workers and communities.