Eni has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Congo’s government to help enhance the country’s agro-biofuel sector, according to a press release from the company.

The MoU covers industrial scale production of castor oil in order to supply feedstock for Eni’s bio-refinery system. A pilot phase will commence in October with castor bean sowing activities on over 200 hectares of land, and up to 1,000 estimated beneficiaries. Moreover, the industrial phase is expected to be executed over 150,000 hectares with 90,000 estimated beneficiaries by 2030.

With Congo’s Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso and Eni’s CEO Claudio Descalzi present, Eni signed the MoU with several key Congolese government officials, including the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Paul Valentin Ngobo, the Minister of Hydrocarbon Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, and the Minister of International Cooperation & Promotion of Public Private Partnership Denis Christel Sassou N’Guesso.

This MoU came as a part of Eni’s commitment to decarbonize the Africa’s energy sector, noting that biofuels can contribute significantly to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.