Africa Should Use Its Natural Gas, Says The AfDB President

The right of African states to utilize their natural gas supply should be reflected in any agreement concluded at the COP27 climate talks, the head of the African Development Bank told Reuters, despite the efforts of certain nations to restrict the use of the fuel.

According to sources, achieving an agreement on fossil fuels is one of the most difficult aspects of the negotiations, with certain countries, notably India, aiming to eliminate the use of all fossil fuels, including gas.

Monday evening's distribution of a preliminary document by summit organizers removed any reference to fossil energy. Even while it is the basis of any agreement, the crucial final language has yet to be discussed.

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, stated on the sidelines of the United Nations conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Friday, "Africa needs natural gas to supplement its renewable energy."

He stated that even if Africa tripled its current natural gas production, its contribution to global emissions would only grow by 0.67 percent.

In view of the fact that the world is on track to miss its climate goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average by the middle of the century, one of the conference's main emphasis has been on countries speeding their transition to renewable energy.

Adesina indicated that the AfDB intends to fund $25 billion via the African Adaptation Acceleration Program, more than any other comparable lender. In addition, it has invested 85 percent of its capital in renewable energy between 2016 and 2021.

He added that natural gas is required to balance the electricity supply despite the intermittent nature of renewables.

"We must acknowledge Africa's singularity. Africa has the highest rate of energy poverty in the world, "Adesina noted.

"What intrigues me is how Africa uses natural gas as part of its energy mix to provide electricity to the 600 million people who currently lack access to electricity."

According to Adesina, developed nations have produced around 2,400 gigatonnes of climate-damaging carbon emissions since the industrial revolution, leaving only 400 gigatonnes if the world is to fulfill its temperature target.

"Therefore, Africa, which did not significantly emit, should not be penalized for its inability to utilise even a small amount of gas to supplement its natural resources."