Accra: Africa's transition to a low-carbon economy must create opportunities for industrialisation, value addition, and jobs rather than leave the continent as a supplier of raw materials, the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) has said. The Chair of the AGN, Nana Dr Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, emphasized the importance of positioning Africa within the emerging global green economy during the opening of a two-day AGN Just Transition Technical Workshop.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Amoah noted that the global transition to a cleaner economy presents both risks and opportunities for African countries. Just transition discussions should consider how Africa can participate meaningfully in this new economy. The just transition framework aims to ensure that moving away from fossil fuels is fair, equitable, and inclusive, ensuring no workers, communities, or regions are left behind.
Speaking at the workshop in Accra, Dr Amoah stressed that Africa's just transition should align with its development realities, focusing on industrialisation, economic diversification, energy access, decent employment, adaptation, and resilience. The workshop is examining the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), established after the COP30 climate conference in Bel©m, Brazil, to prepare for COP31.
Dr Amoah also highlighted the need for African countries to enhance their participation in global supply chains by adding value to their natural resources. "Africa must not remain simply a supplier of raw materials while value addition, technology, and jobs are created elsewhere," he stated. Trade was identified as a crucial aspect of the just transition, as low-carbon production is setting new standards affecting African economies' competitiveness.
The AGN Chair pointed out the opportunities for green industrialisation, mineral value addition, regional supply chains, and increased involvement in emerging green industries. He emphasized the importance of merging climate action with economic transformation, viewing just transition as part of a broader transformation of African economies and societies.
Dr Amoah also highlighted the necessity for adequate resources to implement the JTM effectively, considering the role of finance. Adaptation and resilience remain central to the transition, given the climate impacts across Africa. The technical discussions aim to help African negotiators develop a common position on the JTM's purpose, functions, and institutional arrangements before COP31.
The workshop, organized with the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change of Kenya and supported by Power Shift Africa and the Global Wind Energy Council, aims to produce technically grounded proposals to influence the global just transition agenda while respecting Africa's development goals.