An Overview of Biogas Plants in Ethiopia and Sweden: What Ethiopia Can Learn from Sweden

Paper in proceeding, 2023

To promote the development of Ethiopia's biogas sector, this paper gives an overview and status of biogas in Ethiopia and Sweden, highlights the challenges impeding the expansion of biogas technology in Ethiopia, and tries to suggest lessons Ethiopia can learn from Sweden. Currently, Ethiopia has over 36,000 digesters installed, while Sweden has 281. The challenges to the expansion of biogas in Ethiopia stated in this paper include a lack of stated policy to include biogas as part of the energy system, a lack of research and development facilities dedicated to biogas, higher investment costs, the inefficiency of digesters, a lack of cooperation among stakeholders, and a lack of a comprehensive database on the subject. We recommend that Ethiopia learn from Sweden about developing a dedicated policy and roadmap, developing a national competence center like Sweden's Biogas Research Center, improving production and efficiency, considering multiple feedstocks, and appropriate waste collection, segregation, and allocation.