Experts Allay Concerns about Green Transition in Africa

Omolabake Fasogbon

Experts have addressed Africans’ fears and concerns about embracing green economy, emphasizing its importance to realising sustainable development on the continent.

At a Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) conference in Lagos  organised by CSR-in-Action, the experts drawn across Africa also charted sustainable management of the continent’s natural resources and equality gap in the extractive industry.

In her keynote address, the Regional Director of Ford Foundation West Africa, Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, analysed prospects of green energy, convincing Africans that  opportunities for sustainable development offered by this innovation far outweighs its concerns.

Aniagolu-Okoye, however, urged leaders to prioritise African-centric approach in their transitioning journey to be able to retain economic control and drive fruitful efforts.

“Transitioning from fossil fuels to green energy is pivotal, and we must approach it through an African lens. Africa’s transition is not an end to extraction but a shift that maintains autonomy and enables economic control,” she asserted.

Also speaking at the power conference with the theme: Extractives for Green Growth: The Strategic Role of Extractives in the Just Transition into an Inclusive Green Economy’, NOHFC IRC Chair in Mineral Exploration at Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Pete Hollings, called for equitable economic outcomes by redefining resources management.

He stressed true transparency in sustainability efforts, noting that this has been a major defeat in Canada’s economy despite the country’s giant strides.

He said: “Despite Canada’s advancements, achieving true transparency and avoiding superficial green-washing remain challenging. Sustainable mining should involve zero-footprint goals, green technology, and renewable power sources, but we must also protect indigenous lands and cultures.”

Earlier, the Chief Executive of CSR-in-Action and Convener of SITEI, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, encouraged players in the extractives to prioritise host communities development, urging transitioning plan that capture these communities for long-term gains.

She explained that CSR-in-Action has always embraced cultural humility and deep respect for all stakeholders, stating that this is also crucial for survivability of extractive sector.

“This respect brings rewards not only for today but for years to come,” she said.