BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION IN WEST AFRICA

Abstract

Global warming is a threat to the world and the use of fossil fuels is a major factor that contributes to climate change and the damage to the environment. Therefore, the world is looking for environmentally friendly fuels and West Africa is doing little in solving this global problem. After the review of relevant literatures, it is concluded that West Africa is blessed with vast lands that are available for cultivating Jatropha plant for biodiesel production. Farmers in the rural areas could use biodiesel in powering their farm machineries, while biodiesel blend could be used in diesel engines. Consequently, the economy of West African nations will be better for it. There is low level of awareness of the advantages of biodiesel. Therefore, academic Institutions should intensify research on the prospect of biodiesel and the gap between the institutions and the industries should be closed.