The inaugural edition of the Green Conversations has focused on achievements and prospects for a successful and smooth transition from fossil fuel to clean, cheaper, and sustainable energy in West Africa.

The two-hour interactive session is aimed at creating the enabling environment to ensure a successful green economy.

The conversations highlighted the need to speed up the smooth transition into green hydrogen, and to further explore the available opportunities for West Africans to use cheaper and more sustainable energy.

It is spearheaded by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) and its stakeholders. 

Key speakers from across the world focused on the theme: “Enabling Environment for Capacity Building and Research for Green Hydrogen Economy in West Africa.” 

The interim Executive Director of WASCAL, Prof Kehinde Ogunjobi, spoke on the contributions of WASCAL towards a smooth transition from fossil fuel to cleaner energy.

He emphasized the successful implementation of projects and programmes as part of its commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 on Clean Energy.

WASCAL recently passed out 59 West African Green Scholars in various Green Hydrogen programmes under its International Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen. A new set of 73 students have been admitted in the drive to build stronger capacities in West Africa. 

Prof. Ogunjobi says other activities and interventions include the waste-to-energy project as well as the PV2H projects.

Since 2021, WASCAL and its partners have worked together to build the capacities of students from 15 West African countries through its International Master’s Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen.  

The partners include Germany’s Julich, RWTH Aachen, Rostock University, as well as its West African university partners, Houphouet Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire; University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, University of Lomé, Togo, and University of Abdou Moumouni, Niger. 

Speakers at the Green Conversation included Prof. Kehinde Ogunjobi, Director of Capacity Building, Prof. Daouda Kone, Madam Kerstin Annassi, from Julich, Nii Commey, Communications Manager of WASCAL, and Ms. Alberta Aryee, Renewable Energy Coordinating Officer. 

The conversation was moderated by the Coordinator of Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen in WASCAL, Dr. Bruno Korgo.