In order to help Nigeria’s energy transition, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, the chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, has advocated for fair and accessible regulations. He has placed special emphasis on tax breaks and vocational grants that will enable young people to work in the renewable energy sector.

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Hon. Ogene emphasised the value of youth and legislative inclusion in policy discussions on climate change and energy transitions while speaking at a side event during the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, which is being co-hosted by the Committee on Renewable Energy and INCLUDE, a knowledge platform based in the Netherlands.

Under the theme “Driving the Just Transition: Labor-Based Incentives and Youth-Centric Policies for a Sustainable Future,” the conference examined ways to guarantee that Africa’s shift to renewable energy is equitable and participatory.

Hon. Ogene and Anika Altaf, Executive Director of INCLUDE, jointly released a statement stating that the topics of discussion included youth-centric policies, labor-based incentives, and incorporating sustainability, equity, and job creation into the transition to renewable energy.

Youth-Centered Methods:

To assist youth-led renewable energy projects, Altaf proposed worldwide funding and mentorship programs. She placed a strong emphasis on financial incentives, including startup grants, skill-acquisition subsidies, and openness in the creation of policies to guarantee fair access.

Africa-Specific Requirements

Africa’s special place in the world’s energy transition was emphasised by speakers. Strategies must put job creation, energy access, and locally based solutions to energy poverty first because the continent contributes less than 4% of global emissions.

Innovative young people are creating community-specific, scalable renewable energy solutions. One strategy to develop future leaders in renewable energy innovation was to expose kids to technology early on, such as teaching them to code at the age of eight.

Including Youth in the Making of Decisions:

The gathering urged young people to be important decision-makers in climate policy, not merely advisors. It was determined that standardised toolkits, training courses, and collaborations between public and commercial sectors were essential for providing young people with the skills they need.

Participants underlined the necessity of cross-sector cooperation, direct support for grassroots initiatives, and partnerships with international organisations to offer mentorship in order to strengthen Africa’s voice in international fora like COP.

There was agreement at the end of the session to convert the debates into workable frameworks, such as:

incorporating national renewable energy strategies with objectives aimed at young people.

advocating for Africa’s interests in the energy transition agenda through events like COP2024.

In order to guarantee that Africa’s transformation is fair and sustainable, speakers underlined the transformative potential of youth-led solutions and asked the international community to genuinely support these initiatives.