Africa can’t be compelled to dramatic energy transition— Osinbajo
Amidst ongoing efforts by global economies to transition to clean and sustainable energy, Nigeria’s former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, says African leaders cannot be compelled to phase out fossil fuel use without effective climate financing for the continent.
Mr Osinbajo made this known while addressing Nigerian journalists in Kenya on Monday after moderating a panel session on “Carbon Markets in the Global South” at the ongoing Africa Climate Summit/Week in Nairobi, Kenya.
“So we cannot be asked to do a dramatic transition. We are saying we need Carbon market, we need finance to be able to transition,” Mr Osinbajo said.
He noted that to transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, there must be some use of fossil fuel, especially gas, as transition fuel.
“It is impossible to expect countries) that are gas or fossil fuel rated to just suddenly change from gas or fossil fuel straight into renewable energy,” the former vice president said.
He added that no country anywhere in the world has been known to develop industries using purely renewable energy, and all of the developed countries have used fossil fuels to some extent to attain their feat.
Based on this, Mr Osinbajo explained that African countries cannot be asked to do a dramatic transition.
As the inaugural Africa Climate Summit kicks off on Monday in Nairobi, Kenya, President Bola Tinubu and Mr Osinbajo are some of the African leaders expected from Nigeria to address key issues around climate change, including green growth, carbon pricing, climate financing, climate adaptation, renewable and clean energy, among others.