Smart Oil is developing a sustainable biofuel industry in Ghana by growing jatropha plantations and producing biodiesel from the oil seeds. They have established pilot plantations and a production process, creating local jobs. Their biodiesel is 20% cheaper than diesel and reduces greenhouse gases by 80%. With 10,000 acres farmed by 2014, they will annually produce 2 million gallons of cheaper, cleaner fuel for use in generators, vehicles, and aviation. This supports rural development and the environment in Ghana and beyond.

1. Developing a sustainable biofuel industry in Ghana
Description
Smart Oil is creating thousands of
jobs in rural West Africa by
producing a cheaper substitute
for diesel fuel derived from
jatropha plantations.
Headquarters Ghana
Established 2008
Impact Areas West Africa
Type For Profit
Sectors Clean Tech & Energy
Staff Size 25
Annual Budget $650,000
Major Funders Futuris Spa (Italy)
Key Awards
2009 BEST Fulbright
2010 CTI - PFAN Best Clean Tech
Initiative in West Africa
2010 Italian confindustria young
entrepreneurs award
2011 EC Grant: Energy Facility and
Intelligent Energy $1M (Granted to
Agroils subholding)
Smart Oil
Target Market
Smart Oil sells biodiesel as a diesel substitute in the Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana
to be used for off-grid power generation ($350M market), fuel for cars, trucks and
barges ($250M market. As the production grows, Smart Oil will target regional
markets including fuel to power GSM towers ($150M market with 300% annual
growth), and international aviation carriers ($400M bio jet-fuel market for Lufthansa
alone). In the long term, the company aims to sign off-take agreements with leading
reneweable energy companies in Europe.
Value Proposition
Jatropha is a tree that annually produces non-edible oil seeds that can easily be
converted into fuel oil or biodiesel. We grow Jatropha trees in large farms in rural
Ghana and convert this product into biodiesel for sale both locally and internationally.
Also thanks to stable commercial relationships with local small farmers, we create
permanent jobs in poor rural areas. Locally, our product is 20% cheaper than
traditional diesel fuels, is environmentally friendly, and is an 80% reduction in
greenhouse gases. It is appropriate for use in everything from local diesel generators
to large, international aircarriers. With 10,000 acres farmed in 2014, we will anually
produce 2 million gallons of a cheaper diesel substitute.
“What if in sub-Saharan Africa someone could create thousands of jobs, cut the cost of fuel, and have a
positive impact on the environment? With Smart Oil, we want to tell a sucessful story in rural Ghana,
and finally move towards a global scale.”
Frede rico Maria Grati , CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
CONTACT US
www.scu.edu/socialbenefit S M A R T O I L
F R E D E R I C O . G R A T I @ F U T U R I S . I T
+233 247 44.44.28 (IT)
+39 346 6963 010 (GH)
fre derico .grati @futuris .IT
it .lin kedin .com /in /grati
GSBI CLASS of 2011

2. Developing a sustainable biofuel industry in Ghana
Outcomes
Jobs Created
Gallons Biodiesel Produced
Total Expenses per Gallon Biodiesel
www.scu.edu/socialbenefit T h is p rofile w as de v elo p ed duri n g t h e 2 0 1 1 G l o b a l S o c i a l Be n e f i t
IncubatOR™ , t h e sig n ature p rogram of Santa Cl ara Un i versi t y ’s Center f or
S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l ogy, a n d S o c i e ty.
Milestones Achieved
2008 50 Acres of pilot plantations
have been farmed. Agricultural
model validated over last 3 years
2010 Optioned 70,000 acres of
land from local authorities
2011 Pilot BioDiesel production
2011 Equity investment by Futuris
Spa
Growth Plan
2012 2,500 acres of farmland in
production. Launch of family farm-ing
programs
2013 Industrial production of Bio-
Diesel
2014 10,000 acres of farmland in
production. 2,500 employees and
contractors
2016 1 million gallons biodiesel
sold
2017 2 million gallons biodiesel per
year sold, production until 2020
Impact to Date
• Proven reputation locally - 4
year project development and
model validation
• Employed 20 local workers
• 10,000 gallons BioDiesel
produced
• 40,000 Jatropha trees planted
Investment Required
$4.7 million debt investment
“Thanks to these young entrepreneurs, my motivation to invest has come
back. This business idea does not cost too much, but the positive effect on the
re-growth of the economy and on job creation is huge.”
Gio vanni Vege zzi
Journalist, IL Sole 24 ore