Sustainable fuel
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Nador West Med Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant (EBRD: "SAF Project Manara Morocco")
Would be one of Africa's first large SAF plants, positioning Morocco to supply European and regional airlines under blending mandates.
The project is a waste-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant planned by Green Sky Capital, a Doha-based clean-fuels developer. Its shareholders are Green Sky Capital Management, Al Mana Holding (Qatar) and Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia). The project company is Green Sky Manara.
The plant will stand on about 8.8 hectares in the Bétoya Industrial and Logistic Zone of the Nador West Med complex, about 30 km west of Nador on the Mediterranean coast. The land is leased from Nador West Med for 20 years, renewable in 20-year periods. Total cost is about US$239 million.
Design approach: it uses Axens' licensed Vegan HEFA process (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids, which turns waste oils and fats into fuel by treating them with hydrogen). Output is about 176,000–200,000 t/yr of SAF, plus renewable diesel, renewable naphtha and small quantities of bio-propane. Planned units cover feedstock pre-treatment, fuel production, and hydrogen production and storage. It will need about 200,000 t/yr of waste oils and fats: mainly used cooking oil, animal fats, and residues from food processing and edible-oil refining. Domestic used cooking oil arrives by road tanker; imported used cooking oil and soap-stock acid oil come in through Nador West Med port. Most SAF is for export by sea; renewable diesel and bio-propane may also be sold in Morocco.
Key dates: EBRD disclosed the project on 13–14 Oct 2026, proposing a senior secured loan of up to US$105 million (US$85 million committed, US$20 million uncommitted). Up to US$20 million is expected from the Green Climate Fund, with EU first-loss cover under the EFSD+ "HI-BAR" guarantee. On 2 Nov 2026 Shell signed an exclusive long-term offtake for about 150,000 t/yr of SAF, or the same volume of renewable diesel.
Setbacks: none reported. The environmental and social assessment (SLR Consulting with CLEAN TECH, EBRD category B) is still interim, and a Moroccan environmental impact assessment with a public inquiry is still required.
Next: EBRD Board on 18 Nov 2026. Start-up about 22 months after a contract award in October 2026, i.e. August 2028. Peak construction workforce about 400; about 162 permanent staff.
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12 May 2026
Green Sky Capital, the Doha-based developer behind Nador, secured financing for Egypt's first SAF facility.
Why it matters: Shows the sponsor can close financing for this type of plant, which lowers risk for Nador.
13–14 October 2026
The EBRD disclosed a proposed senior secured loan of up to US$105 million (US$85 million committed, US$20 million uncommitted). A Tunisian report of 3 Nov 2026 gives US$135 million; the EBRD figure is used.
Why it matters: Development-bank backing is the anchor for most first-of-a-kind SAF plants in emerging markets.
Reported October 2026 (lease date not published)
An 8.8-hectare site in the Bétoya Industrial and Logistic Zone, about 30 km west of Nador, is leased from Nador West Med for 20 years, renewable. Total project cost is about US$239 million.
Why it matters: Port access lets the plant import waste oils and export fuel by sea.
Reported October 2026
The plant will use Axens' licensed Vegan HEFA process to turn about 200,000 t/yr of waste oils and fats into about 176,000–200,000 t/yr of SAF, plus renewable diesel, naphtha and bio-propane.
Why it matters: A proven process lowers technology risk; feedstock supply is the main thing to watch.
October 2026
Up to US$20 million is expected from the Green Climate Fund, with EU first-loss cover under the EFSD+ "HI-BAR" guarantee.
Why it matters: Blended finance of this kind is a template for other SAF projects in the region.
October 2026 (interim)
An interim environmental and social assessment by SLR Consulting with CLEAN TECH was published (EBRD category B). A Moroccan environmental impact assessment with a public inquiry is still required.
Why it matters: Permits are still outstanding and are a key schedule risk.
2 November 2026
Shell signed an exclusive long-term offtake with Green Sky Manara for about 150,000 t/yr of SAF, or the same volume of renewable diesel.
Why it matters: A major buyer for most of the output makes the project bankable.
18 November 2026
The EBRD Board is due to decide on the loan.
What to watch: approval would unlock financial close and the construction contract award.
No date published
A Moroccan environmental impact assessment with a public inquiry must be completed.
What to watch: the permit decision, which decides the construction start.
August 2028 (environmental documents) or October 2028 (press)
Start-up is planned about 22 months after the construction contract award. Peak construction workforce about 400, then about 162 permanent staff.
What to watch: which start date holds, and local supply openings for feedstock collection, logistics and plant services.
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Financing is proposed, not approved: EBRD Board decision due 18 Nov 2026. Figures from EBRD disclosure (Oct 2026); construction contractor not yet named.
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| Compared item | Nador West Med SAF (Morocco) | Green Sky SAF plant (Egypt) | Neste Singapore expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Green Sky Capital | Green Sky Capital / SAF Fly Egypt | Neste |
| Capacity | ~176,000–200,000 t/yr SAF | 200,000 t/yr biofuels | 1 million t/yr SAF (2.6 million t/yr total renewables) |
| Process | HEFA (Axens Vegan) | Not verified | Not stated on source |
| Feedstock | Waste oils and fats (UCO, animal fats, residues) | Not verified | Waste and residue materials |
| Investment / finance | US$239m total; EBRD loan up to US$105m proposed | US$142.9m debt finance | €1.6bn expansion |
| Start-up | Aug 2028 (planned) | By 2027 (planned) | Completed May 2023 |
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