Why West Africa Is the Next Frontier for Sustainable biofuel Feedstock

The European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) mandates that a growing share of transport fuel must come from renewable sources. Within that, waste-based feedstocks like used cooking oil receive the highest sustainability multipliers — making them the most sought-after raw material in the biofuel value chain.

But supply from traditional sources — China, Southeast Asia, and Southern Europe — is plateauing. Traders and refiners are now looking to new geographies. And West Africa is at the top of the list.

The Untapped Potential

Nigeria alone has a population of over 220 million people. Cooking oil consumption runs into billions of litres annually. Yet the UCO collection infrastructure is virtually non-existent. Most waste oil ends up in drains or is reused until it becomes hazardous.

This represents an enormous untapped resource. The same pattern repeats across Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal. Combined, West Africa could supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of UCO per year — if the collection systems are built.

Why Now?

Several factors are converging to make this the right moment. First, international demand is at an all-time high. Second, mobile technology enables digital payment, GPS tracking, and real-time quality verification — the operational backbone needed for a collection network. Third, local economic conditions make UCO collection an attractive livelihood opportunity.

The Benin Energy Approach

We are building the collection infrastructure from the ground up. Our model centres on local agents who serve as the bridge between sellers and our supply chain. Agents recruit sellers, coordinate pickups, ensure quality, and manage payments. Drivers handle logistics. And our technology platform ties it all together with full traceability.

Challenges and Opportunities

Building in a new market is not without challenges. Awareness is low — many sellers don't know their waste oil has value. Road infrastructure can be difficult. And regulatory frameworks around waste exports are still evolving. But these are solvable problems, and the opportunity far outweighs the obstacles.

West Africa's moment in the global biofuel supply chain has arrived. And Benin Energy intends to lead it.