Africa urged to lead global climate action at WASCAL energy transition conference in Abuja
By Faridat Salifu,
Experts and policymakers across West Africa have called for stronger African leadership in global climate action as Nigeria hosted the maiden West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) International Conference on Climate Change and Just Energy Transition (I3C-JET 2025) in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal said the continent must chart its own path to a low-carbon future through inclusive and sustainable policies.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and universal energy access by 2030, describing the nation’s Energy Transition Plan and Climate Change Act as “proof of deliberate commitment to a just and people-centered transition.”
WASCAL’s Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Ramde, said the conference was designed to bridge the gap between science, policy, and society. He highlighted WASCAL’s milestones, including training more than 700 climate experts and developing cutting-edge regional data systems to guide decision-making.
Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman of WASCAL’s Governing Board, urged African researchers to take a front seat in shaping global climate dialogue, noting that “Africa’s voice must be backed by science.” He commended Germany’s long-standing support through the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
The conference, which brought together ministers, researchers, civil society groups, and private sector players, focused on building collaborative pathways for sustainable climate resilience and energy justice in Africa.
Participants discussed strategies for expanding clean energy access, scaling up climate finance, and translating research into practical community-based solutions that can drive inclusive growth, protect livelihoods, and strengthen regional cooperation in the face of escalating climate challenges.
