Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinabanjo has challenged African leaders to clearly define the continent’s energy transition direction.
The vice president observed Africa is already challenged due to global warming therefore leaders must develop sustainable energy policy for the continent’s very survival.
The Nigerian Vice President challenged leaders during the Infrastructure Solutions Summit organized by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) last Thursday.
He maintained that the threats that Climate Change poses on the continent’s economic development and survival must compel leaders to come up with a well defined energy transition vision.
The Vice President at the summit share his views on Africa’s position on the transition from gas to renewable energy.
“Africa is in a peculiar position. This is why we need to come together to chart a clear path for the future”, he stated.
The vice president has been consistent on this policy advocacy both in his home country and on international platforms.
Mr Osinbajo noted that several voices around the globe and Africa are asking for a clear energy transition policy direction for the continent.
According to the vice president, Africa is yet to articulate its vision towards sustainable energy.
“I don’t think that Africa has articulated the vision yet, but there are ongoing efforts towards that,”
He disclosed that continental leaders will table an African centered energy vision at forthcoming climate change conference (COP27) in Egypt.
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Osinabanjo revealed that existing energy transition policies initiated by developed countries did not factor the peculiar challenges of Africa.
He said Africa need strong energy drive for industrial development and that investments in fossil fuel is the way to go.
The vice president argued that no country in the world has been able to achieve industrial group with renewable energy.
“We (Africa)has been a asked to industrialize using renewable energy when everybody else in the world knows we need gas- powered industries for business” Osinabanjo pointed.
He said the EU has categorized nuclear and gas as green investments.
Osinabanjo revealed that the European Union has priorities investments is gas for the next decade to enable it meet its 2050 energy targets.
“They are leaving us room to say that we, in Africa, are going to be needing investments in gas in the next 30 years for us to be able to also meet our targets”, he emphasized.
Vice President Yemi Osinabanjo stressed Africa needs to come out with convenient African centered vision on climate change and carbon neutrality by 2050 or 2070.
