Renewables
African negotiators set climate finance and energy transition priorities for COP31
The African Group of Negotiators will advocate for increased climate finance and equitable transition frameworks at the upcoming UN climate summit in Antalya.
Key points
- The African Group of Negotiators will push for scaled-up adaptation finance and a well-funded Green Climate Fund at COP31.
- Nigeria's delegation and technical support will be coordinated by Omotenioye Majekodunmi, Director General of the Nigeria Council on Climate Change.
- The bloc cautioned that the phase-out of fossil fuels must protect developing economies from stranded assets and severe energy poverty.
Delegates representing the 54 nations of the continent are finalising their core objectives ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. Premium Times reported that the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) intends to center discussions on securing predictable, grant-based funding to implement national climate strategies.
AGN Chair Nana Antwi-Boasiako stated that while member states have successfully formulated Nationally Determined Contributions and adaptation frameworks, financial scarcity remains a persistent barrier to execution. The coalition is pressing for operational guidelines to fulfill the commitment made at COP30 to triple adaptation resources, alongside a robust replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.
What happened
The upcoming summit runs from 9 to 20 November under a dual leadership model featuring Türkiye as host and Australia guiding negotiations. Nigerian participation and technical guidance will be overseen by Omotenioye Majekodunmi, who leads the Nigeria Council on Climate Change. Beyond funding targets, the negotiating bloc addressed the contentious debate over broadening the contributor base for international climate finance. Officials maintained that wealthier nations must uphold their primary financial duties under Article 9 of the Paris Agreement rather than shifting responsibilities onto developing economies.
Discussions are also expected to cover the Just Transition Mechanism. The AGN argued that moving away from hydrocarbons must account for regional developmental realities, safeguarding local workforces and preventing critical resources from becoming stranded while domestic energy needs persist.
Why it matters
For energy investors and policymakers across the continent, the outcomes of COP31 carry direct implications for capital allocation and resource development. According to World Bank figures from 2025, fuel exports account for 85.9 percent of merchandise exports in Nigeria, compared to a global average of 9.5 percent. Furthermore, World Bank data for 2024 records Nigeria's electricity use per person at 140.6 kWh, against a global average of 3708.5 kWh, while clean cooking access stands at 28 percent. These metrics underscore why Nigerian negotiators continue to demand a balanced transition framework that prioritises poverty alleviation and economic stability alongside global emissions reductions.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
22.0% of electricity in Nigeria was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
