The Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi, Nigeria, and the Institut du développement durable et des relations internationale (IDDRI), Paris, France, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) are set to host a high-level policy workshop under the Ukama Platform.
The workshop, entitled “Trade, Investment and Green Industrialisation in Nigeria: Strengthening Relationships with the EU”, will hold on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Abuja.
The workshop comes at a critical moment as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy away from oil dependence while aligning industrial growth with climate and sustainability objectives in line with changing global transition in international trade and industry.
The Nigerian Climate Change Act 2021 and National Renewable Energy Action Plan provide an important foundation for green industrialisation in the country. Yet, persistent gaps remain in policy coordination, financing frameworks, trade facilitation, and implementation. At the same time, it is believed that evolving Nigeria–EU engagements on sustainable trade, green energy, and investment, alongside continental opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) present a huge and timely opportunity to strengthen cooperation and unlock green industrial value chains.
The workshop will have the Co-Chairs of the Ukama Platform and Director of CCCD, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, and Dr Sebastien Treyer, Executive Director of IDDRI, alongside other critical stakeholders including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, private sector players, representatives of the diplomatic corps, senior policymakers, development finance institutions, and research organisations, among others.
The workshop is designed to commence with the presentation of the policy brief to set the analytical context for the workshop discussions with three technical sessions structured to help guide discussions and frame implementable outcomes.
Technical session (i), which will be on “Policy Landscape”, will examine existing trade, climate, and industrial policy frameworks, identify gaps, and clarify institutional needs. Technical Session (ii) on “Financing for Green Industrialisation in Nigeria” will explore strategies to mobilise public and private capital for green investments. Technical Session (iii) will examine “Trade Facilitation, Regional Integration, and Green Industrial Value Chains”, drawing insights from participants with a focus on enabling trade and investment in green industrial sectors.
Overall, the workshop will produce a concise policy brief with actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria-European Union cooperation, and establishing a sustained dialogue path to advance green industrialisation, investment, and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
The Ukama Platform is the Africa-Europe platform for sustainable development thinkers with the aim of building informal dialogue process between a diversity of African and European experts.
By Gboyega Olorunfemi (Senior Research Associate, CCCD) and Elisabeth Hege (Senior Research Fellow, IDDRI), coordinators of Ukama Platform