UK: largest producer of energy crops in Africa

In Africa, more biofuel plantations can be traced back to British companies than any other country, according to an investigation by the Guardian.

Of the total 3.2 million hectares of land used for biofuel crop cultivation in Africa, over 50% is owned by 11 British companies.

Crest Global Green Energy is reported to own the largest amount of land – a total of 900,000 hectares in Mali, Guinea and Senegal. And in Tanzania, UK-based Sun Biofuels grows jatropha on 8,000 hectares of land.

However, according to Norman Baker, the junior transport minister for the Liberal Democrat party, no more than 0.1% of the UK's biofuel is grown on African soil. But this percentage could increase as oil prices rise in the future.

The Guardian has also identified Italy has the second largest player, with seven companies present in Africa. Germany and France came joint third with six firms each, and the US next with four. Additionally, Brazil and Canada have been expanding operations in Africa, but the Guardian's investigation found only a few projects from each nation has been established so far.

And while a small number of these biofuel developments offer benefits to the local residents, such as employment and investment, the large majority provide no advantages.