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Abstract. Science and technology point in the direction of continual research to identify sustainable renewable energy sources which can be exploited for the use of humankind. Biomass for the production of biofuels constitutes significant interests. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) was investigated in this research to assess its potential for the production of biodiesel and determine its quality. Four replicates each of 5, 10, 15 and 20kg samples of cowpea were cleaned, soaked for 7 days in water after which they were thoroughly mashed with pestle in mortar. Predetermined volumes of N-Hexane was poured on each mashed sample and thoroughly mixed and afterwards poured in flasks and covered to remain at room temperature for 8 days. This fermented material was then poured over 2.00mm sieve and heated in a sohxlet machine to remove the N-Hexane. After cooling for 30 minutes, potassium hydroxide was added to the materials as a catalyst and the mixture heated again to yield 0.52, 1.04, 1.57 and 2.09L of biodiesel respectively. Analysis of the biodiesel produced yielded values for cloud point (79⁰C), kinematic viscosity (1.77 cst/mm²), firing point (86⁰C), auto ignition temperature (80.2⁰C), flash point (73⁰C) and relative density (0.957) and these values obtained conformed to the standard values for biodiesel. The global annual cowpea production of 5.4 million tonnes can yield 567 million litres of biodiesel.

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