Pan-African Coalition ’ll Advance Just Energy Transition – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, says a Pan-African position articulated and promoted by leaders of the continent on global net-zero emissions target by 2050-2060, will further advance quest for a just energy transition.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande,  in a statement in Abuja, said the vice president said this when he met with diplomats from the G-7 countries comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, Japan, and also the Republic of Egypt.
Other global agencies like the United Nations, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), were also in attendance at the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The vice president, who spoke after a presentation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, and brief comments by the diplomats and country representatives, said the plan was geared toward the actualisation of a Pan African initiative.
”Developing a common African narrative is absolutely important because it sets the stage in providing a clear vision and a clear objective to have a Pan African initiative.
“The broad-based coalition will ensure that the private sector and government work together in driving the processes and the nuances are adequately taken care of.
“It is important that we factor in all the nuances across the continent.
“There is a great deal of enthusiasm and support for the country’s energy transition plan.”
He said the Federal Government had adopted intentional approaches including the setting up of an Energy Transition Office, among others to coordinate the processes.
Earlier, the Minister of Environment, Alh. Mohammad  Abubakar, emphasised the need to have a Pan-African transition plan that would ensure a shared vision on the continent’s position at the forthcoming Climate Change Conference.
He assured development partners and members of the G-7 countries of Nigeria’s firm commitments to the net-zero emission targets.
On her part,  Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, said  authorities were making  efforts to ensure stability in fiscal and monetary policies.
She said that  stakeholders especially in Africa must define their  common interest and leverage existing opportunities to build new partnerships.
In his remarks, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, commended the leadership of the vice president in developing and implementing an energy transition plan, pledging the UN’s support toward its actualisation.
In the same vein, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the U.S. would support initiatives aimed at creating conducive environment for investments in the sector.
She acknowledged the emergence of a movement championing common initiative for Africa’s energy transition, describing Nigeria’s plan as a manifestation of country’s position on energy transition.