By Abbas Nazil
The Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Omotenioye Majekodunmi, has called for a pragmatic and balanced approach to energy transition in Africa, emphasizing that such a strategy is essential for achieving industrial growth, economic prosperity, and meaningful contributions to global climate goals.
Speaking during the Green Conference 2026 held in Lagos, she explained that Africa must adopt an energy strategy that blends existing resources with emerging clean technologies rather than abandoning traditional energy sources abruptly.
Majekodunmi stressed that Nigeria’s climate and energy policies already reflect this philosophy through what she described as an “Energy Mix Plan,” a transition framework designed to combine natural gas, renewable energy, and other low-carbon innovations to drive sustainable development.
According to her, the continent’s future energy landscape should not be based on a choice between gas and renewable energy but on a system where both operate together to ensure reliable power supply while reducing carbon emissions.
She noted that this integrated model is particularly important for African countries that are still striving to expand their industrial sectors and improve living standards for millions of people.
The conference, themed “Decarbonising Africa: Pathway to Climate Finance, Sustainable Growth and Green Economy,” brought together policymakers, investors, and climate experts to discuss strategies for addressing climate change while maintaining economic progress across the continent.
During her presentation, Majekodunmi argued that Africa should approach the global energy transition with confidence and leadership rather than defensiveness, highlighting the continent’s abundant natural resources and its potential role in shaping the future of global energy systems.
She pointed out that Nigeria alone possesses more than 600 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, which could play a vital role in supporting industrial development if properly managed and integrated into low-carbon energy strategies.
According to her, responsibly developing and decarbonising these gas resources could provide the reliable energy needed to power industries, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth while still aligning with global climate commitments.
Majekodunmi further urged policymakers to create regulatory frameworks that treat energy transition not merely as an environmental obligation but also as a powerful driver of economic transformation and industrial expansion.
She explained that clear and supportive policies would encourage innovation, attract investment, and enable African nations to develop energy systems that are both sustainable and economically productive.
Addressing investors at the conference, she emphasized that the most promising energy future lies in combining decarbonised gas infrastructure with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
This approach, she said, would ensure a stable energy supply while gradually lowering carbon emissions and expanding access to electricity across the continent.
Majekodunmi concluded by urging African leaders and stakeholders to harness the continent’s natural resources responsibly in order to build an industrialized, resilient, and climate-conscious economy.
She noted that by carefully balancing economic ambitions with environmental responsibility, Africa can achieve long-term prosperity while contributing meaningfully to global efforts to combat climate change.