General
Osinbajo Encourages Africa-Focused Energy Transition Drive
By Adedapo Adesanya
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has the energy transition drive must be fair and sensitive to Africa’s peculiarities and priorities.
The current global energy transition has been regarded as both an opportunity for the preservation of the earth and a vehicle for unlocking the development potential and livelihoods of millions of people, especially those in developing countries.
Speaking virtually at the 2022 Standard Bank Climate Summit themed Africa’s Path to Carbon Neutrality, he said that energy transition is a developmental opportunity and called on Africa to engage critically and vocally.
The Standard Bank Group has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions from its operations for newly built facilities by 2030, for existing facilities by 2040, and from its portfolio of financed emissions by 2050.
Giving a speech on how to manage the energy transition to net zero in the context of Africa’s unique challenges, such as energy poverty, Mr Osinbajo said the global community must account for diverse realities and accommodate various pathways to net zero.
“The current energy transition is an opportunity like none other for the preservation of the planet, but it can also be a vehicle for unlocking the development potential and livelihoods of millions of people. There is no reason why we cannot have both,” the VP stated.
“Particularly for African nations which need financial and technical support as well as the flexibility to develop as swiftly as possible. This will ensure a fair and balanced energy transition that leaves no one behind.
“How we manage the global energy transition must be sensitive to Africa’s priorities. The global energy transition must place energy access for both consumptive and productive uses at the heart of climate action,” he added.
Making reference to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan as a leading light, Mr Osinbajo said “the value of having a nation-specific, data-driven plan as the basis of our activities and engagements cannot be overemphasized,” adding that “the plan provides a clear financial estimate for the achievement of Nigeria’s energy access and transition goals.”
“Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan finds that an additional $10 billion over business as usual is required annually till 2060 to shift the entire economy to a net-zero pathway. We hope to see more of such plans on the continent,” the VP noted.
Citing another example of efforts to have a pan-African position on energy transition, Mr Osinbajo said “this is underway with certain countries, including Nigeria developing and signing on to the Kigali Communiqué which came out of the Sustainable Energy for All Forum in June, and outlines principles for a just and equitable energy transition.”
According to him, “we must take ownership of our transition pathways and design climate-sensitive strategies that address our growth objectives. We must clearly and thoroughly articulate our priorities, strategies, and needs.”
Justifying Africa’s stand for a just and balanced energy transition, the Vice President noted that “though Africa’s current unmet energy needs are huge, future demand will be even greater as populations expand, people move into the middle class, and rapid urbanization continues.”
Specifically, the VP observed that in 2020, “Sub-Saharan Africa had 568 million people without access to electricity. This represents more than three-quarters of the world’s total unelectrified population. On the other hand, most developed nations have 100 per cent energy access. Surely, the race to net zero must not leave people in the dark.
“Also, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region in which the number of people without access to clean cooking fuels and technologies is rising. 19 of the 20 countries with lowest clean cooking access rates are in Africa.”
He argued that “limiting the development of gas projects, as a critical energy transition pathway for Africa, violates enshrined principles of equity and justice, and poses dire challenges for African nations while making an insignificant dent in global emissions.”
He said, “Africa has contributed the least of any global region to greenhouse gas emissions and currently emits under 4 per cent of global emissions. Under no plausible scenario are Africa’s emissions a threat to global climate targets. Unfounded predictions should not serve as excuses to limit our energy technology options.
“Limiting financing of gas projects for domestic use in Africa would pose a severe challenge to the pace of economic development, delivery of electricity access and clean cooking solutions, and the scaleup and integration of renewable energy into the energy mix.”
On financing the energy transition, Mr Osinbajo said “a balanced and just approach to the energy transition recognizes that finance is key. Lack of access to finance remains the biggest challenge for accelerating action on energy access and climate goals in Africa.”
The VP restated the call on developed countries to bridge the disparity in energy investments, noting that “of the $2.8 trillion invested in renewable energy from 2000 to 2020, only about 2%, $60 billion, came to Africa.”
The International Energy Agency has estimated that Africa will need around $133 billion annually in clean energy investment to meet our energy and climate goals between 2026 and 2030.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nasarawa State government has ordered the immediate suspension of mining activities at Endo community in Udege, directing Lideal Mining Company to stop operations and vacate the site without delay.
The government also ordered an immediate halt to the movement of raw minerals from the location, tightening restrictions around the disputed mining area.
The latest intervention by the state government signals a tougher stance on mining operations considered capable of threatening public order or operating outside established procedures.
Announcing the decision in Lafia, the state capital, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Margaret Elayo, said the action followed a series of consultations, stakeholder engagements and security assessments linked to activities within the affected mining cadastral unit.
She said the directive was issued in the public interest as part of efforts to maintain order, protect host communities and strengthen regulatory compliance in the state’s mining sector.
According to the commissioner, the company has been instructed to begin the immediate withdrawal of its mining equipment, heavy machinery, trucks, operational facilities and personnel from the site.
Mrs Elayo said the move aligns with the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, which has repeatedly pledged to enforce lawful mining practices, preserve peace in mining communities and build investor confidence through transparent regulatory processes.
She stressed that the government’s decision forms part of a broader plan to reposition the mining sector and ensure that mineral development does not undermine security, environmental standards or community stability.
To enforce compliance, the state government has directed the deployment of security personnel to the affected mining site to prevent unauthorised activities and ensure full adherence to the suspension order.
Nasarawa remains one of Nigeria’s key solid minerals states, attracting growing interest from mining investors because it contains lithium, tin, columbite and other strategic minerals.
However, increased mining activity has also heightened concerns around regulation, community disputes, environmental protection and security management.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The recently-convicted former Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, said the former senior government official was apprehended this afternoon along with two others accused of shielding him.
Earlier this month, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Mr Mamman for N33.8 billion fraud after he was found guilty of a 12-count charge brought against him by the EFCC. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison, though he was not present in court on the day of his sentencing.
Speaking with journalists today, Mr Olukoyede said the convict was arrested at 3:30 am on Tuesday in a house in Kano, where he was allegedly being protected.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that sometime in January 2025, we filed charges against the ex-minister of power for allegedly converting over N33 billion – money that was set aside for the Mambilla and Zungeru power projects,” Olukoyede said during a press briefing.
“About 14 to 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured convictions on all 12 counts. Because the defendant was not present, the issue of sentencing was shifted. And on the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia.
“Since then, we decided to open our intelligence surveillance to the public, looking for him all over the place. I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr Saleh Mamman somewhere in Kano. We have discovered that he was actually being protected all this while,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom is deepening efforts to position itself as a preferred global expansion hub for African startups with the launch of the UK–Africa Ecosystem Week, a coordinated support programme to be delivered during London Tech Week.
Powered by the UK–Africa Sandbox and Ventures 54 in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the initiative is expected to provide African founders with structured support to navigate business, investment and networking opportunities in the UK market.
The programme is also backed by the UK Nigeria Tech Hub, the UK South Africa Tech Hub, London & Partners and the Mayor of London’s office, signalling growing institutional support for stronger commercial and technology ties between the UK and African innovation ecosystems.
According to the organisers, the initiative introduces a more coordinated approach to participation at London Tech Week, one of the world’s largest annual technology gatherings, which attracts over 100,000 participants across more than 500 events yearly.
Founders participating in the programme will gain access to curated sessions, concierge-style support services, dedicated workspaces, investor engagement opportunities and market entry guidance tailored to African technology companies seeking expansion into the UK.
A flagship UK–Africa Ecosystem Day will also bring together investors, policymakers, ecosystem builders and founders to discuss commercial expansion opportunities and partnerships between both regions.
Founder of Ventures 54 and UK-Africa Sandbox, Mr Anthony William Catt, said the initiative was developed in response to the increasing number of African startups travelling to London Tech Week over the last few years.
He explained that what started as informal networking gatherings under the London Africa Network had evolved into structured programming and has now scaled into a full week of activities aimed at helping founders maximise opportunities available within the UK ecosystem.
“This is about putting the right structure in place, so African founders have a dedicated support track to get the most out of the week and access the best of what the UK has to offer,” he said.
Speaking on the initiative, Acting His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mr Ben Ainsley, described the UK as a natural destination for ambitious African startups due to its large technology ecosystem, deep venture capital market and access to global talent.
“The UK Government is committed to supporting high-growth international companies succeed in the UK and initiatives like the UK–Africa Sandbox demonstrate our focus on making it easier for African founders to access support and fully engage with the UK’s world-class innovation ecosystem.”
The programme is expected to attract delegations and founders from countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana.
Organisers added that the initiative would extend beyond London Tech Week through the broader UK–Africa Sandbox platform, which aims to support African founders entering the UK market while also creating pathways for UK startups seeking expansion opportunities across Africa.
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