The escalating cost of Convenient Energy Sources - electricity and petroleum has provided the immediate need for new thinking towards alternative fuel processes.

Industrial energy use in developing countries is estimated constituting between 30 and 40 percent of the total commercial energy consumption. Most of this energy is derived from imported oil. Most developing countries now spend well over 50 per cent of their foreign exchange earning on oil imports. In a few exceptional cases, this figure goes up to 80 percent of foreign exchange earnings. Notwithstanding these fiscal constraints, developing countries need to expand their industrial base if they are to generate the resources needed to improve the quality of life of their people. the expansion of industry does require additional energy inputs which most countries cannot afford at resent. Thus, a solution has to be found that would satisfy the apparently disparate objectives both to reduce the oil import burden whilst providing more energy to stimulate economical growth. Biodiesel can be considered as one possible solution.

African Countries , to a greater extent and sooner than everyone else are more or less stuck in an Existential Energy Trap . The only chance they have of escaping is to mobilize Renewable Energies like bio diesel. In addition to their fundamental environmental advantage , moreover renewable energies are literally home grown energies.

Bio diesel production as an industry has long-term capabilities in promoting rural organic agriculture and direct impact in poverty alleviation. The industry can dramatically reduce Green house Gas emissions and has an added advantage in that it can be established on marginalized, degraded land.