By Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja

The Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has called for accessible and equitable policies to support Nigeria’s energy transition, emphasizing tax breaks and vocational grants to empower youth in renewable energy sectors.

Speaking at a side event during the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, co-hosted by the Committee on Renewable Energy and INCLUDE, a Netherlands-based knowledge platform, Hon. Ogene highlighted the importance of youth and legislative inclusion in policy discussions on climate change and energy transitions.

The event, titled “Driving the Just Transition: Labor-Based Incentives and Youth-Centric Policies for a Sustainable Future”, explored strategies to ensure Africa’s renewable energy transition is fair and inclusive.

According to a joint statement by Hon. Ogene and Anika Altaf, Executive Director of INCLUDE, discussions focused on labor-based incentives, youth-centric policies, and integrating equity, sustainability, and job creation into renewable energy transitions.

Youth-Centered Strategies:

Altaf suggested mentorship programs and international funding to support youth-led renewable energy initiatives. She emphasized financial incentives, such as grants for startups, subsidies for skills acquisition, and transparency in policy design to ensure equitable access.

Africa-Specific Needs:

Speakers stressed Africa’s unique position in the global energy transition. With the continent contributing less than 4% to global emissions, strategies must prioritize job creation, energy access, and localized solutions to address energy poverty.

Role of AI and Technology:

Young innovators are developing scalable renewable energy solutions tailored to their communities. Early exposure to technology, such as coding education for children as young as eight, was highlighted as a way to foster future leaders in renewable energy innovation.

Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making:

The event called for youth involvement in climate policy not just as advisors but as key decision-makers. Standardized toolkits, training programs, and partnerships between governments, educational institutions, and the private sector were identified as critical for equipping youth with the necessary skills.

Participants emphasized the need for partnerships with international organizations to provide mentorship, direct funding for grassroots projects, and cross-sector collaboration to amplify Africa’s voice in global forums such as COP.

The event concluded with a consensus to translate discussions into actionable frameworks, including:

Piloting labor-based incentives.

Integrating youth-focused priorities into national renewable energy policies.

Using platforms like COP2024 to push for Africa’s interests in the energy transition agenda.

Speakers emphasized the transformative potential of youth-led solutions and urged the international community to authentically support these initiatives to ensure Africa’s transition is equitable and sustainable.