The Africa climate agenda has gained traction, with nations in the process of banning fossil fuels and adopting renewable resources. Undoubtedly, the approach provides short- and long-term solutions to Africa’s energy, agricultural development, and general economic growth.
However, the continent is committing itself more than the world’s leading polluters, who continue harmful activities like oil production. Also, the same nations are pushing African governments to adopt different measures to take debt to fund initiatives such as renewable energy plants.
Africa’s exploitation of its oil deposits is low, with entities like EACOP (East African crude pipeline) facing domestic and international lawsuits for potential pollution. Ironically, the complainants are largely foreign parties. This has stopped the 1,443km pipeline development, which is projected to transport 246,000 bpd from Uganda to Tanzania. This is an unfair case compared to cases like Canada’s infrastructure transporting 890,000 bpd. Such actions hinder employment opportunities for many jobless youths, and countries’ economic growth potential.
Other big oil producers like COP28 hosts, UAE, have vowed to continue production to meet demand. Also, the U.S.A., the 2nd biggest oil producer, and the globe’s polluter, continuously increases its production.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, yet to see its full oil production returns, is missing the potential to be a first-world nation. Instead, they face unending fuel price increments, including the recent removal of fuel subsidies by president Tinubu. Also, DRC, arguably the world’s richest in terms of rare minerals, suffers ongoing conflicts, with its resources mainly benefitting foreign powers and nations.
Therefore, African nations should be allowed to explore and benefit from their natural resources, including fossil fuels. Income from such initiatives will improve its resistance to climatic adversities and can be channeled back to saving the environment. This will also give Africa equal opportunity to contribute to the world’s climate change mitigation agenda.
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