- BAT Nigeria strengthens its clean energy and sustainability goals.
- The company calls for deeper private sector engagement in Africa’s energy transition.
BAT Nigeria is taking decisive steps to lead the energy transition in Nigeria. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and economic resilience. It believes that the private sector must drive meaningful climate action and environmental progress.
At the 2025 Private Sector ESG Forum in Lagos, the Managing Director of BAT West and Central Africa, Yarub Al-Bahrani, spoke about the company’s sustainability strategy. The forum’s theme, “Energy Security and Decarbonisation: Bridging the Gap for a Sustainable Future in Africa,” focused on how businesses can strengthen renewable energy growth.
Al-Bahrani said Africa still faces serious energy access challenges. Therefore, private companies must lead the move towards cleaner and more efficient energy systems. He added that firms can support the energy transition in Nigeria by investing in innovation and improving operational efficiency.
He highlighted BAT Nigeria’s measurable achievements in cutting its environmental impact. The company has switched its operations from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG). It has also installed a 1.4-megawatt solar system at its Ibadan factory. In addition, it has maintained a zero-waste-to-landfill record since 2021.
These projects, according to Al-Bahrani, support BAT’s global target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by half before 2030. He stressed that progress requires joint effort. Thus, he called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to scale clean energy investments.
He further explained that sustainability is not just a corporate trend but a shared responsibility. For that reason, he urged stakeholders to unite through clear policies, innovation, and shared accountability.
The forum, hosted by TGI Group, BAT Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, and NESGAS Producing, explored practical ways to strengthen Africa’s energy value chain. Participants agreed that Africa’s transition must be inclusive, well-financed, and forward-looking. They concluded that policy consistency, renewable energy expansion, and sustainable financing remain crucial to closing the continent’s energy gap.