The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments in order to address energy poverty, even as it noted that Africa was not a net contributor to global emissions.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, made this remark on Tuesday during a session at CERAWeek organised by S&P Global with the theme “Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition.”
Under its “Decade of Gas” initiative, the Nigerian government has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking during the session, the President’s aide maintained that Africa and other low-income countries were currently contributing only about 3–4% of global greenhouse gas emissions compared to China and the United States, which account for approximately 30% and 13% of global CO₂ emissions, respectively.
She said: “In Nigeria, we are ensuring that we create an enabling environment for investments. On climate change, we recognize the importance of risk perception in our markets and are committed to transparent policies that stand the test of time, enabling the deployment of capital.”
While underscoring the need for greater regional integration to attract capital and enhance market efficiency globally, Verheijen explained that this can be achieved by pooling resources, integrating markets, and leveraging collaboration across the continent and regional blocs, we can drive sustainable development.
In addition, she stressed the importance of better data collection and analysis in Africa to support informed decision-making and policy development.
The President’s aide further clarified: “Even if Africa experiences exponential economic growth and reaches middle-income status, the continent will still not be a major contributor to global emissions.
“The bulk of emission reductions will have to come from developed nations, which must diversify their energy sources and invest heavily in carbon removal and reduction technologies,” she added.
Verheijen noted that a balanced approach was necessary to ensure that developing economies can utilize their natural resources to drive prosperity, while also adopting climate solutions that enhance adaptability and sustainability.
Experts believe that through strategic investments and policy reforms, Nigeria and other African nations could tackle energy poverty, attract investment, and contribute to a more sustainable global energy transition.
