The chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has advocated for accessible and equitable policies, including tax breaks and vocational grants to empower youth in renewable energy in African nations, especially in Nigeria.
He made this call alongside other stakeholders at a side event co-hosted by the Committee on Renewable Energy and INCLUDE, a Netherlands-based knowledge platform, at the ongoing Conference of Parties, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where world leaders are gathered to discuss climate change issues.
Rep Ogene also called for a deliberate inclusion of youths and legislators in conferences and workshops where issues involving policies regarding developments in climate change and energy transitions are discussed, for a better understanding that would engender right policy formulation and intentional youth involvement.
The side event, titled “Driving the Just Transition: Labor-Based Incentives and Youth-Centric Policies for a Sustainable Future,” according to a statement endorsed by both Hon. Ogene and Anika Altaf, PhD, Executive Director, INCLUDE, focused on actionable strategies to foster a fair and inclusive renewable energy transition in Africa. The discussions centered around labor-based incentives, youth-centered policies, and the intersection of equity, sustainability, and job creation.
Speakers at the side event included Ogene, Dr. Altaf, Victoria Manya, (Knowledge Broker, INCLUDE), Nurgul Iliazova, Professor of Economics, Bishkek State University, Kazakhstan, Farida Ally, Kenyan youth leader, Solomon Abu, a nuclear scientist and Kgaugelo Mkumbeni, research officer, Institute for Security Studies, Kenya.
Dr. Altaf in her presentation suggested mentorship programmes and international funding to authentically support youth-led renewable energy projects.
The conversations outlined a comprehensive approach to design labour incentives that not only support job creation, but also address the specific needs of young people. This includes accessible financial incentives, such as grants for youth-led startups and subsidies for skills acquisition in renewable energy industries; and policies that will integrate transparency and inclusivity to ensure equitable access.
