he Excellence in Africa-Junior Faculty Development (EXAF-JFD) project conducted a one-day workshop on biofuel production and waste biomass valuation in Tanzania on status opportunities and challenges, whereby participants had a chance to engage in discussion with the aim of learning and gaining more knowledge from facilitators.

Speaking during the workshop, which took place on October 2, 2023, at the NM-AIST Conference, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research, and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete provided brief remarks on research and innovation and an overview of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology. 

The Guest of honor, Deputy Head of Mission, Swiss Embassy to Tanzania, Holger Tausch, said that Switzerland and Tanzania have a history of cooperation in various fields, including science and technology. 

“It’s a great Honor to be part of this workshop, which strengthens scientific cooperation, and witnessing young innovators receiving certificates and trophies for emerging winners on inter school biofuel competitions and school biofuel exhibitions, ” said Holger Tausch. 

Participants got the chance to go into details about the EXAF-JFD Project on exploiting the potential of underutilized African plants and agricultural wastes in biofuel production, presented by Principal Investigator Prof. Thomas Kivevele. 

The other presentation was in the laboratory of Sustainable and Catalytic Processing: EPFL, Status, Opportunities, and Challenges of Biofuels in Tanzania, Government Role in Promoting and Facilitating Climate Technologies and Innovations, and Biofuels and Economic Development in Tanzania: The Role of the Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (TAREA) and the Role of NM-AIST in Biofuel Innovation and Startups.

The workshop was closed with winners of inter school biofuel competitions and schools biofuel exhibitions receiving their certificates and trophies, which were St. Margreth Academy , Mlangarini Secondary School, Arusha Girls Secondary School, Nambala Primary School, Kisimiri Secondary School and Losirway Secondary School.