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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Ogene, has called for accessible and equitable policies, including tax breaks and vocational grants to empower youth in renewable energy in Africa, especially in Nigeria.
Afam made the call at a side event co-hosted by the Committee and a Netherlands based knowledge platform, INCLUDE, at the ongoing Conference of Parties, (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The lawmaker, in a statement jointly signed with Anika Altaf, Executive Director, INCLUDE, canvassed for a deliberate inclusion of youths and legislators in conferences and workshops, where policy issues on developments in climate change and energy transitions are discussed.
He said this is imperative for a better understanding that would engender right policy formulation and intentional youth involvement.
According to the statement, the side event, titled, “Driving the Just Transition: Labour-Based Incentives and Youth-Centric Policies for a Sustainable Future,” focused on actionable strategies to foster a fair and inclusive renewable energy transition in Africa.
The statement noted that Altaf, in her presentation, suggested mentorship programmes and international funding to authentically support youth-led renewable energy projects.
It noted that, “the event underscored the importance of crafting policies that resonate with young people. This involves using youth-friendly language, actively involving young voices in policy formulation, and prioritising initiatives that align with their aspirations, such as meaningful, skill-based employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.”
Furthermore, it stated that the various speakers were also in agreement that “Young people are emerging as key contributors to renewable energy solutions tailored to their communities. These innovations are not only effective but scalable, demonstrating the transformative potential of youth-led technological advancements in combating climate change.
“Emphasis was placed on the role of AI and digital technologies in enabling this progress. Early exposure, such as teaching coding skills to children as young as eight, was highlighted as a critical step in fostering a generation capable of driving impactful solutions.”
