The speakers at the inaugural Africa Sustainability Forum 2026 have said that Africa’s transition to a greener economy will depend on its ability to expand affordable energy access, mobilise climate finance, create decent jobs and develop local industries.
The forum, which brought together business leaders, policymakers and sustainability professionals in Lagos to examine how African economies can pursue climate goals while addressing poverty, infrastructure gaps and the need for industrial growth.
In a presentation titled What Does a Just Transition Mean to Africa?, Marilyn Obaisa-Osula, Partner and Head of ESG, Sustainability and Climate Change Services and Net Zero Leader for PwC’s West Market Area, argued that Africa’s transition must reflect the continent’s development priorities.
Her presentation identified five central requirements: universal access to affordable and reliable energy, decent jobs for a growing workforce, industrialisation and local value addition, fair distribution of transition costs, and protection for workers and communities dependent on fossil-fuel industries.
According to her, the scale of the challenge is considerable and the presentation cited estimates of approximately 600 million Africans without electricity and one billion without access to clean cooking.
The presentation also highlighted a substantial financing gap, with less than $2.5 billion committed towards energy access against an estimated annual requirement of about $15 billion.
The sustainability expert argued that a credible transition must therefore expand energy access and support industrial development while keeping emissions low.
She called for greater access to concessional and grant financing, the processing of critical minerals within Africa, regional value chains and stronger social protection for affected workers and communities.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in his presentation highlighted the importance of clear and consistent policies in giving businesses and investors the confidence to commit capital.
Represented by Mrs. Oluntunde Osunleye, Principal Manager, Regulatory Services, at the Commission. Dr. Maida discussed green telecommunications infrastructure, infrastructure sharing and the Commission’s efforts to support growth across the digital economy, stressing that a sustainable future would require effective regulation, partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders.
The theme of the Africa Sustainability Forum 2026 was “Sustainable Futures: Driving Just Transitions, Green Growth and Shared Prosperity,” while discussions focused on the need to translate sustainability commitments into practical economic outcomes for businesses, households and communities.
GIK/APA