Lokpobiri: Africa Contributes Just 3% to Global Emissions, Time for Mere Dialogue Over

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja 

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has reiterated that Africa contributes a meagre 3 per cent to global emissions, noting that the time for mere dialogue without concrete action is over.

Lokpobiri spoke at the just concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland,where he participated in several of the sessions that convened global leaders and industry players to address critical global and regional challenges. 

The minister said in Abuja that the sessions provided a platform to engage on issues central to Africa’s development and the global energy transition.

“ I called for greater international support, noting Africa’s minimal contribution of 3 per cent to global emissions and stressing that the time for mere dialogue has passed. As we look ahead, I urged that by the next WEF in 2026, our collective focus should be a review of executed actionable measures that drive visible growth in Nigeria, Africa, and globally. The foundation has been laid; now, it is time to build,” the minister added.

According to him, another key discussion was Africa’s momentum, which examined the impact of the African Union’s 2023 admission as a permanent member of the G20 and Africa’s push for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. 

On his contribution to the dialogue, the minister said he emphasised the need for strategic funding to enable Nigeria and Africa to harness their vast mineral resources and tackle persistent energy deficiencies. 

“In the session on Powering Progress: Financing the Energy Transition, I highlighted actionable solutions needed to unlock market forces and strengthen the business case for a global energy transition.

“ We explored best practices for mobilising public and private capital, emphasising that Nigeria and indeed, Africa’s transition must align with its development priorities,” he added.

During the Leaders for a Sustainable MENA session, which focused on climate, AI, and finance in the MENA region – a grouping of Middle Eastern and North African countries, the minister stated that innovative partnerships and pathways for collaboration between international and regional stakeholders were discussed.