- BAT Nigeria urges the private sector to take more decisive action in advancing Africa’s clean energy transition.
- The company showcases its switch to gas and solar as evidence of its progress in sustainability.
British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria has urged the private sector to take a more decisive role in advancing sustainable energy systems and supporting Africa’s move toward cleaner, more resilient power sources.
At the 2025 Private Sector ESG Forum in Lagos, Yarub Al-Bahrani, Managing Director of BAT West and Central Africa, stated that companies must move beyond pledges to tangible actions that align with Nigeria’s sustainability agenda.
Meanwhile, delivering a keynote address titled “Energy Security and Decarbonisation: Bridging the Gap for a Sustainable Future in Africa,” Al-Bahrani stated that Africa’s energy access and transition challenges necessitate strong private sector leadership and coordinated investment.
“The private sector must lead the charge in decarbonisation and in building sustainable energy systems for generations to come,” he said.
Al-Bahrani highlighted BAT Nigeria’s sustainability milestones, including the complete conversion of its operations from diesel to compressed natural gas, the installation of a 1.4 MW solar power system at its Ibadan factory, and maintaining a zero-waste-to-landfill record since 2021.
“These initiatives support our goal to cut Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030,” he added.
He also called for joint efforts among government, businesses, and civil society to unlock clean energy investments and accelerate Africa’s energy transition. “Sustainability is not a slogan; it is a shared responsibility,” he said. “Bridging the gap between energy security and decarbonisation requires innovation, enabling policies, and collective commitment.”
The Forum, organised in collaboration with TGI Group, BAT Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, and NESGAS Producing, featured sessions on resilient energy value chains and financing Africa’s energy transition.
In conclusion, participants agreed that inclusive policies, access to clean energy, and sustainable financing remain key to narrowing the continent’s energy gap.