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While the AU’s call for reparations is morally and historically justified, it is important to not lose sight of the ultimate goal: a truly self-reliant and prosperous Africa.

The 38th AU Summit is more than a diplomatic event — it is a litmus test for Africa’s political will and commitment to growth.  While it is true that justice delayed is justice denied, we should also be conscious that justice poorly designed is sovereignty surrendered. The continent’s leaders must be intentional and leverage this moment to forge a future where Africa’s prosperity is self-determined, equitable, and unapologetically sovereign. 

African heads of state recently converged for the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme of this year’s gathering, “Building a united front to advance the cause of justice and payment of reparations to Africans,” resonates deeply with the collective memory of all people of African descent resulting from centuries of exploitation from the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, neocolonialism, systemic racism and economic marginalisation. These historical injustices have resulted in persistent inequalities in global financial systems, trade structures, and governance institutions that continue to afflict the continent today.

Yet, amid the urgency of this reparations discourse, the continent stands at a historic crossroads: how can this moment be leveraged to secure not only redress for past wrongs, but also lasting sovereignty and prosperity.

While the AU’s call for reparations is morally and historically justified, it is important to not lose sight of the ultimate goal: a truly self-reliant and prosperous Africa. Reparations, whether financial or structural, must catalyse systemic change rather than perpetuate dependency. It should empower African communities to lead their own development. This was well articulated at the ongoing summit by UN Under Secretary General, Mr Claver Gatete, in his remarks at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, where he cautioned against viewing financial compensation as a panacea, and emphasising that Africa’s future hinges on structural autonomy and dismantling the entrenched barriers that limit its trade (3 per cent of global share) and manufacturing output (1 per cent) despite holding 30 per cent of the world’s mineral reserves and 65 per cent of arable land.

We must acknowledge the hard truth that there are some actors in the global North who see a truly sovereign and independent and prosperous Africa as a threat. African leaders must at all cost fight to ensure that proposed strategies and programmes to secure justice for the continent are not tied to “donor whims,” while will reinforce the cycle of servitude.

We must acknowledge the hard truth that there are some actors in the global North who see a truly sovereign and independent and prosperous Africa as a threat. African leaders must at all cost fight to ensure that proposed strategies and programmes to secure justice for the continent are not tied to “donor whims,” while will reinforce the cycle of servitude. Multilateral promises have often crumbled under Western hesitancy to support developing nations in their struggle to adapt to emerging challenges, which the West is largely responsible for. Climate change is a poignant case in point.

While Africa contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it bears the brunt of climate disasters. Yet, rich countries have continually failed to heed Africa’s cry for sizeable finance to help it address the adaptation and loss and damage needs imposed by climate change. Many Africans watched an open show of horror as Western nations at COP29 watered-down the New Quantified Climate Finance Goal and poured cold water on the collective aspiration of the African people for climate justice. The United States of America has now gone a step further by pulling out of the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, the recent trends in the rise of neoconservative movements, anti-immigration sentiments, weaponisation of conditional aid (exemplified by USAID tensions) have exposed the fragility of relying on external goodwill.

African leaders should seize this opportunity to strengthen regional solidarity, invest in homegrown systems and reposition the continent on a self-sufficient growth trajectory. This would put us in a stronger position to hold global actors accountable and demand for enforceable commitments.

The challenge for African leaders is clear: to transform the call for reparations from a symbolic demand into a blueprint for sovereignty. Reparative justice for the continent should not be pursued through tokenistic financial transfers, acknowledgment of historical wrongs, and cultural preservation, as the AU leader have suggested, but rather through strategies and programmes that foster long-term, transformative change, and with just a transition to the green economy placed at the centre. This means resisting the “perpetual cycle of servitude” that the 19th-century slavery abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, once warned against — a cycle in which helplessness invites pity, but never respect. As he rightly said, “Human nature is so constituted, that it cannot honour a helpless man, although it can pity him; and even this it cannot do long, if the signs of power do not arise.”

In addition, while external pressures loom, Africa cannot afford to outsource its path to prosperity. There is need for some self-introspection, as we must also do right by ourselves and address underlying challenges such as the lack of purposeful leadership and endemic corruption, which have immensely contributed to the underdevelopment of the continent. African leaders should seize this opportunity to strengthen regional solidarity, invest in homegrown systems and reposition the continent on a self-sufficient growth trajectory. This would put us in a stronger position to hold global actors accountable and demand for enforceable commitments.

The 38th AU Summit is more than a diplomatic event — it is a litmus test for Africa’s political will and commitment to growth.  While it is true that justice delayed is justice denied, we should also be conscious that justice poorly designed is sovereignty surrendered. The continent’s leaders must be intentional and leverage this moment to forge a future where Africa’s prosperity is self-determined, equitable, and unapologetically sovereign.

Chukwumerije Okereke is a professor of Global Governance and Public Policy at University of Bristol, visiting professor at the London School of Economics, UK and co-chair of Ukama Platform, a group of thought-leaders that aim to strengthen Africa-Europe relationship to achieve just sustainability transformation

The re-election of Donald Trump has thrown global climate leadership into uncertainty, with a rollback of Biden-era clean energy policies, withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and a focus on fossil fuels over renewables. This moment offers Africa a critical opportunity to strengthen its partnership with Europe for green industrialisation. African policymakers must seize this opening to position the continent as a leader in the global green economy, significantly moving beyond resource extraction to industrial value creation.

Africa and Europe have long recognised the need for a mutually beneficial industrial partnership to achieve net-zero ambitions and effective climate action. However, practical measures to realise this vision have fallen short. The EU’s new Clean Industrial Deal, promised within the first 100 days of the new Commission’s mandate, presents a chance to rethink this partnership.

While the Draghi report, which foundates the deal, focuses on improving EU competitiveness, it also acknowledges the need for stronger external partnerships, particularly with Africa. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced new clean trade and investment partnerships, but how these will differ from past initiatives remains unclear.

Africa’s climate competitiveness is a key asset in this partnership. The continent’s vast renewable energy potential, coupled with its critical raw material reserves, positions it as a vital player in the global green economy. Sub-Saharan Africa is endowed with 30% of global reserves of critical raw materials. African leaders, such as Kenya’s President Ruto, have already emphasised the need to industrialise while decarbonising, reduce the cost of sustainable energy, and build green skills and jobs through initiatives like the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII).

These priorities align with Europe’s goals, but the starting points and means to achieve them differ. Africa must leverage these differences to forge complementary partnerships with Europe, ensuring that value addition and industrial jobs remain on the continent.

However, current narratives often reduce Africa to a supplier of raw materials, echoing post-colonial patterns that have historically benefited elites and foreign companies while leaving little added value for local populations. This approach erodes trust and fails to recognise Africa’s potential as a future market for intermediary or final products. For example, instead of exporting raw lithium, African countries could develop local battery manufacturing capabilities, tapping into the growing global.

In the same vein, green iron imports from countries like Namibia and South Africa, rooted in their renewable energy advantages, are not only technically feasible but economically sound. Such partnerships could transform value chains, with Africa supplying processed inputs to Europe, enhancing the competitiveness of industries like steel while creating jobs and value on the continent.

Europe’s energy scarcity further strengthens the need for Africa’s partnership. Many African countries, with their ample renewable energy resources, can offer the climate competitiveness Europe lacks. Energy-intensive industries, such as steel production, could be more efficiently located in Africa, where renewable energy is cheaper and more abundant. Technological innovations, like hydrogen direct reduced iron (HDRI) furnaces, present opportunities to locate production in countries with competitive green energy, such as those in Southern Africa. This would not only reduce costs for European industries but also accelerate global decarbonisation efforts.

Yet, one must acknowledge that challenges remain. African countries must negotiate investment partnerships that ensure fair terms and local value capture. Past deals have often favoured buyers, leaving African nations with limited benefits. To attract EU investments, African governments must develop clear, country-led industrialisation pathways and Just Energy Transition Investment Plans (JETIPs).

These plans should focus not only on export markets but also on domestic and regional markets, fostering industries like food processing, e-mobility, and textiles. African can gain EU support for this with the continent investing in skills, innovation, and technology transfer, ensuring that African economies are not just recipients of technology but active participants in the global green economy.

There are lots of potential and concrete opportunities for dialogue and partnership agreements, with the inauguration of the Green Industrialisation Initiative on the African side, a new African Union presidency coming up and a new EU commission focused on green industrialisation and competitiveness.

The upcoming AU-EU Summit in 2025 creates a momentous room for African leaders to set the tone for the future of Africa-Europe partnerships. African policymakers can ensure that green industrialisation delivers tangible benefits for their citizens by advocating for fair terms, local value addition, and regional integration. Such collaboration would allow both continents to pursue their industrial and climate goals more effectively, ensuring stable progress in the face of shifting U.S. policies and reinforcing mutual benefits in sustainable development, competitive markets, and energy security.

Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, a Professor of Global Governance and Public Policy at University of Bristol, is Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics, UK and Co-Chair of Ukama Platform, a group of thought-leaders that aim to strengthen Africa-Europe relationship to achieve just sustainability transformation

Four state Commissioners of Environment from the South-West, South-East and North Central geo-political zones of Nigeria have highlighted the need for political will and increased funding for climate action at the subnational level.

The commissioners spoke as panelists during the high-level panel session on subnational climate action hosted by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in partnership with the African Climate Foundation (ACF) at the just concluded Nigeria Climate Change Forum which held in Abuja on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

The panel session, which was moderated by Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, President, SPP, featured Commissioners of Environment and Climate Change from Enugu, Professor Sam Ugwu; Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ekiti State, Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko; Commissioner for Environment, Niger State, Yakubu Kolo; Commissioner for Environment and Climate, Taraba State, Aishat Bard, alongside a representative from the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Eddidiong Eyo.

The panel session was organised to enable the commissioners to showcase their states’ climate actions, share best practices, and discuss some of the challenges they face in implementing climate change initiatives.

In his response to the question on the status of state-level climate efforts, Professor Sam Ugwu listed the key actions taken by the Enugu State Government to include: the establishment of a stand-alone Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to strategically drive sustainable impact; the development of a pioneering climate change policy and action plan that was recently approved by the executive governor of Enugu State; and the appointment of Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, a globally renowned scholar on climate governance, as a Senior Special Adviser to the governor on climate change policy and sustainable development.

Aishat Barde, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change for Taraba State, said the achievements of Taraba state include restructuring the former Ministry of Environment to incorporate climate change; developing a climate change policy and action plan which was recently validated by stakeholders; and banning of illegal mining to protect the environment and public health.

She further stated that Taraba State has allocated 5% of its 2025 budget to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; launched a tree-planting initiative targeting two million trees, and advanced climate awareness through the “Greening Taraba Initiative.”

“However, we are grappling with challenges such as deforestation and desert encroachment,” she stated.

Erelu Aluko-Ajisafe, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ekiti State, described the state as a pacesetter in climate initiatives as evidenced in the state’s performance in the recent Subnational Governance Performance report produced by SPP in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, adding that the state is currently collaborating with local and international NGOs on several key climate change initiatives.

Yakubu Kolo, Commissioner for Environment, Niger State, highlighted the state government’s efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, describing Niger State as an agricultural hub, and emphasising that climate change poses a significant threat to this vital sector.

To address this challenge, he noted that the government has developed a policy blueprint during the Niger State Green Economy Summit to serve as a strategic guide for the state’s adaptation measures and created an agency on the green economy that is fully supported by the state governor.

Mrs. Edidiong Udo, Principal Scientific Officer, representing Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change (DCC) at the Federal Ministry of Environment, shared some ongoing efforts at the national level to support state governments in strengthening their climate governance and policy.

All the commissioners identified inadequate climate finance, lack of public and awareness of climate change, and limited political buy-in from elected officials as some of the significant barriers to climate action at the subnational level.

Mrs Udo also advocated for a peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing system to enable states to learn from one another through best practices in addressing climate challenges.

The Nigeria Climate Forum, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, brought together several key stakeholders cutting across government, private sector, advocacy groups, civil society organisations, as well as local and international NGOs, to discuss innovative ideas to catalyse transformative climate action across Nigeria and Africa.

By Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Communication Specialist, SPP

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) is set to host a High-Level panel session in collaboration with the Africa Climate Foundation (ACF) during the foremost Nigeria Climate Change Forum in Abuja. This High-level panel session is part of SPP’s commitment to put the subnational actors at the frontiers of climate change action in Nigeria and Africa.

The Nigeria Climate Change Forum, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to catalyse transformative action that will address climate change challenges in Nigeria and across Africa provides opportunity for Ministries, Government Authorities, Chief Executives, senior decision-makers, industry leaders, development partners and climate activists from various sector to share ideas and explore multilateral avenues to catalyse national development.

As a pioneering environmental NGO, It is noteworthy to state that the SPP Team led by Professor Chukwumerije Okere in its attempt to galvanise awareness for climate action at sub-national levels in Nigeria and ensure improved climate change action and resilience among the state actors; it published the first of its kind mapping report on “Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria” in close collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF) in November 2023.

In 2024, The Society for Planet and Prosperity through collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment launched the first-ever climate governance performance ranking report “Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking of Nigeria’s 36 States”. The report which rated all the 36 states on 5 thematic areas: Climate Institutions and Governance, Climate Policy and Action Plan, Climate project Implementation, Climate Budget and finance and Online Visibility had Lagos, Gombe, and Ebonyi as the top three performing states with Borno and Ekiti states sharing the 4^th positions.

The SPP High-Level Panel session will feature Professor Sam C. Ugwu, Hon Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Enugu State; Ms Aishat Barde, Hon Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Taraba State; Hon. Yakubu Kolo, Hon Commissioner for Environment, Niger State; Chief Mrs Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, Hon Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ekiti State; and Dr Mrs. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department for Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment to discuss “Subnational (State-Level) Climate Interventions in Nigeria”.

The High-Level panel session to be moderated by Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, President, SPP will provide an opportunity for the respective Hon Commissioners to highlight their state-level climate action, network with national and international stakeholders with the hope of attracting climate investment to their respective states,

Other distinguished leaders expected at the Climate Change Forum are Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, Hon. Wale Edun, Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister for Environment, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister for Budget and Economic Planning among other dignitaries.

It is expected that this transformative event will inspire collaborative action between government, private sector and international organizations towards driving sustainable development and achieving net-zero emissions in Africa and SPP is positioned as frontier NGO to provide the platform for subnational government to advance their climate action for sustainable development.

The Nigeria Climate Change Forum is scheduled to hold by January 28-29, 2025 at the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The SPP High-Level Panel will hold on January 29, 2025 at the same venue

Ugochukwu Uzuegbu (Communication Specialist, SPP) and Gboyega Olorunfemi (Project Lead, SPP)