A recent article from the January issue of African Journal of Biotechnology states that there is enormous potential in Africa for biogas technology; however the research and development required to further this sort of technology is impeded due to the lack of infrastructure in African nations.

The research article highlights that  that less than 10% of the African population have access to electricity.  The authors  [Mshandete & Parawira] go on to state: “The need for alternative renew-able energy sources from locally available resources can not be over emphasised. Appropriate and economically feasible technologies that combine solid waste and wastewater treatment and energy production can simultaneously protect the surrounding water resources and enhance energy availability. Biogas technology in which biogas is derived through anaerobic digestion of biomass, such as agricultural wastes, municipal and industrial waste (water), is one such appropriate technology Africa should adopt to ease its energy and environmental problems”.

The article is available in full-text should you be interested in reading more.