- At the SEforALL Forum, Adelabu urged concessional financing, risk guarantees and innovative financial instruments to accelerate clean energy adoption.
- Energy transition strategies must be people-centred, ensuring rural communities and marginalised groups are not left behind.
Nigeria has called for a fair and inclusive approach to energy transition, urging global leaders to bridge the gap between clean energy goals and developmental finance.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, delivered this message at the 2025 Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Global Forum in Barbados, where he emphasised the need for justice, inclusion, and tailored financial mechanisms to support Africa’s unique energy challenges.
The forum, co-hosted by SEforALL and the Government of Barbados under the theme “Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security, and Prosperity,” brought together world leaders to drive action toward universal energy access, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the Global Ministerial Roundtable, Adelabu underscored Africa’s paradox: it contributes less than 4% to global emissions yet suffers disproportionately from climate change and energy poverty.
He called for a pragmatic energy transition strategy that balances economic growth, industrialisation, and energy access rather than forcing Africa to choose between development and decarbonisation.
“Africa cannot be forced to choose between development and decarbonisation. Transition fuels like natural gas, which Nigeria has in abundance, must be recognised as a critical bridge to a cleaner energy future,” he stated.
With over 600 million Africans still without electricity, the minister warned that neglecting energy access would push populations toward harmful alternatives such as fossil fuel generators and deforestation, exacerbating environmental and health challenges.
Adelabu stressed that energy transition strategies must be people-centred, ensuring rural communities and marginalised groups are not left behind. He pointed out that existing financing structures are inadequate, citing high borrowing costs, restrictive funding conditions, and slow disbursement processes as major obstacles to progress.
He urged developed nations and financial institutions to rethink financing mechanisms by providing:
- Concessional financing with favourable terms for developing nations.
- Risk guarantees to attract private sector investment.
- Innovative financial instruments to accelerate clean energy adoption.
“Developed countries must fulfil their climate finance commitments and mobilise funds for adaptation and resilience,” Adelabu emphasised.
Nigeria’s participation in the SEforALL Global Forum signals its commitment to a fair, balanced, and inclusive energy transition. The country continues to advocate for sustainable energy policies that align with its development needs while actively engaging in global discussions on climate finance and energy equity.
Adelabu’s message is clear: Africa’s development aspirations will remain constrained without equitable financial support and a realistic approach to energy transition. The global community must act decisively to ensure the energy transition leaves no one behind.