The Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access (ACSEA) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance on Tuesday launched the Nigeria platform for a people-centred energy transition project in Africa.

The three-year project is being implemented in four other countries, namely Kenya, Botswana, Cameroon and Morocco.

ACSEA national coordinator for Nigeria Godwin Uyi-Ojo lamented low participation by civil society and non-state actors in the decision making process on renewable energy transition.

“The aim of ACSEA is to ensure that Just Energy Transition occurs within improved energy access. However, there is low participation in the decision-making process on renewable energy initiatives,” stated Mr Uyi-Ojo. “Therefore, the prime focus of the project is the promotion of renewable energy access in Nigeria. In general, clean energy access is limited due to energy poverty.”

He added that energy poverty could be tackled and solved only through decentralised energy systems while calling for continuous capacity training for local manufacturing of renewable energy gadgets.

ACSEA programmes director Eugene Nforngwa said the project would strengthen civil society’s role in promoting and implementing sustainable energy transition initiatives and influence policy development in the five countries.

Mr Nforngwa stressed that Africa had the lowest energy access rate globally, pointing out that energy access is a policy priority for many governments and development actors.

According to him, renewable energy remains the best chance to fill such a gap while minimising potential emissions from the sector, adding that current initiatives are uncoordinated and lack broad-based participation.

“A strong civil society movement is crucial in minimising risks; increasing access for the poor and securing emission reductions is critical,” he explained. “Renewable energy should be at the centre of any efforts to make energy accessible. Africa is not fully exploring other options. Only Kenya and South Africa are making efforts.”

(NAN)