Some stakeholders gathered in Abuja on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, to push for reduced carbon emissions due to the dangers they pose to public health and the environment.
They emphasised collective action toward cutting carbon emissions at the World Decarbonisation Day, with the theme “Accelerating Decarbonisation for a Climate Secure Future”.
Participants at a forum in Abuja to observe the World Decarbonisation Day,
Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health and Environment Services in the FCTA, warned that excessive carbon in the atmosphere was hazardous to human health and life.
“We have chosen World Decarbonisation Day to remind people of the dangerous effects of carbon emissions on air quality,” she explained.
Fasawe noted that extreme temperatures, bronchiolitis, asthma, lung diseases, and even cancers among young people are linked to inhaling polluted air containing harmful carbon particles.
She explained that decarbonisation meant reducing emissions from sources such as vehicle exhausts, generators, fossil fuels, and decomposing dump sites that sometimes spontaneously ignite.
Fasawe stressed that fossil fuels should not be abandoned carelessly, as this might disrupt the ecosystem, though she envisaged a future led by renewable energy.
“One day, inverters, solar batteries, and panels will power entire hospitals, villages, and districts. That day is possible and it will come,” she stated.
Dr Oladunni Owo, National President of Women in Energy, Oil and Gas Nigeria, described the summit as bold, strategic, and filled with transformative ambitions.
“Decarbonisation is not just a technology shift, but a power shift. Climate justice is about geopolitics, not charity,” Owo stated.
She stressed that women need not wait for permission to lead, as history shows women are always at the forefront during crises, supporting families and communities.
Mr. Teseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, noted the importance of women in the clean energy transition and advocacy efforts.
He explained that the committee had visited gas flaring sites, engaged oil industry players, and was advancing a bill to penalise and stop gas flaring.
The bill, already at second reading, seeks tougher penalties for offenders and compensation for communities suffering health and environmental effects of gas flaring.
Ugbor assured that once passed, the bill would reduce gas flaring incentives and push companies to invest in capturing and productively using the flared gas.
Mrs. Toyin Yusuf, Vice Chairperson for World Decarbonisation Day, said the 2025 summit theme focused on awareness creation, technological innovation, and driving decarbonisation globally.
She urged Nigeria and Africa to take leadership in global decarbonisation, stressing that while reliant on fossil fuels, Nigeria must still meet its net-zero target.
Yusuf highlighted technologies such as carbon sequestration, CCUS, and tree planting as vital tools in achieving sustainable climate action.
The Lagos State Government (LASG) on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, mandated all developers to comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process to ensure safety, health, and sustainable development.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, disclosed this at a stakeholder workshop held at Watercress Hotel, Lagos.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu
The workshop focused on mainstreaming EIA and other safeguard instruments into developmental initiatives in Lagos State.
Rotimi-Akodu said the workshop was designed to bridge knowledge gaps on EIA matters and bring professionals in real estate together to discuss its importance.
He stated that it is now compulsory for all project developers to subject their projects to the EIA process before implementation.
“LASG will not hesitate to enforce compliance in the overriding interest of public safety and sustainable development,” he said.
According to him, this approach aligns with the need to mainstream sustainability into both public and private initiatives across Lagos State.
He urged stakeholders to appreciate the critical role of EIA in project development, stressing that their cooperation would improve project implementation and protect the environment.
He said the collective responsibility of safeguarding the environment was key to building a resilient and liveable Lagos for all residents.
Rotimi-Akodu noted that Lagos remains Nigeria’s preferred investment destination due to its population of over 22 million, modern infrastructure, and sound policies supporting businesses.
He, however, cautioned that rapid industrialisation, new settlements, and coastal reclamation pose serious environmental and social challenges, including pollution and potential irreversible degradation if unmanaged.
He explained that the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources had therefore adopted the EIA process to safeguard public health and ensure sustainable development.
“EIA identifies likely impacts of proposed projects on the environment, health, and socio-economic activities, while providing measures to mitigate adverse effects,” he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, said the workshop was timely given the state’s ongoing developmental projects.
Gaji stressed that EIA was a global safeguard tool ensuring early identification of impacts and the adoption of strategies to eliminate or mitigate environmental risks.
He said LASG was committed to enhancing compliance and improving stakeholder participation in the EIA process, in line with its T.H.E.M.E.S-PLUS Agenda.
He warned that ignoring environmental impacts could expose Lagos’ fragile ecosystem to further degradation, jeopardising public health and safety.
Dr Omowunmi Olatunji, Vice President of the Association of Accredited Environmental Consultants of Nigeria, highlighted the numerous benefits of EIA for communities and ecosystems.
She said the process ensures that host communities are carried along, and developers fully understand the environmental and social impacts of their projects.
She urged stakeholders to sensitise others on the importance of complying with EIA regulations, stressing it was not only about compliance but also long-term benefits.
Mr. Kolawole Mabawonku, a manager at Craneburg Construction Company, said the EIA programme would strengthen company operations and prevent regulatory challenges.
He added that EIA compliance ensures government support and timely approval of project proposals, enabling businesses to operate smoothly while protecting the environment.
The Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 is underway in Dakar, Senegal, with a resounding call to place youth at the very heart of agricultural transformation.
Inside the packed Auditorium, heads of state, global leaders, innovators, and young entrepreneurs gathered for the start of a week-long summit designed to reshape the continent’s agri-food future.
Leaders at the formal opening of the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 in Dakar, Senegal
In his keynote, Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, welcomed more than 6,000 delegates from 80 countries, including over 2,000 youth.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to youth-led innovation, citing Senegal’s Community Agricultural Cooperative as a model for empowering the next generation.
With determination, he declared, “We have the means to feed our children and the world. Let us unite our will, mobilise our resources, and make food systems the engine of an African renaissance founded on dignity, sovereignty, and shared development.”
Hailemariam Desalegn, Chair of AGRA and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, reinforced this vision. He reminded delegates that Africa’s food future depends on aligning political will, financial capital, and the energy of its youth.
“Africa’s food systems will only transform when we align political will, financial capital, and the energy of our youth,” he said, urging governments to take decisive steps toward domestic financing and youth-driven innovation.
Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, added urgency to the call. She stressed that the Forum must go beyond dialogue. “This is a call to accelerate our collective commitment to strengthen Africa’s food systems,” she noted, pointing to encouraging progress by farmers, women leaders, and young agripreneurs. Yet her words carried a stark reminder: hunger still grips hundreds of millions worldwide, with Africa bearing the greatest burden.
“We cannot grow what we do not fund,” she cautioned.
The energy peaked during the Youth Town Hall, where five remarkable young leaders engaged directly with President Faye and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Siny Samba, CEO of Le Lionceau, called for deeper investment in youth-led agribusiness. Moustapha Sy Ndiaye, founder of Maraz, urged for digital integration. Claudia Senghor of AGROBABE pressed for stronger market access for women farmers. Fahima Mohamed Ismael, founder of CarroMaal, highlighted the power of digital literacy to connect farmers and consumers. And Adja Boudy Kante, CEO of Cereal House, called for greater investment in food processing to elevate Africa as a global powerhouse.
Both presidents responded with commitment, acknowledging the demands of the youth and promising to expand policy and financial support.
President Kagame captured the spirit of the exchange: “Africa’s future belongs to those bold enough to innovate, and our role as leaders is to clear the path for them.”
As the Opening Ceremony drew to a close, the message was clear: AFSF 2025 is not about declarations, but about action. Leaders pledged to strengthen intra-African trade, mobilise investment, and ensure women and youth remain central to transformation.
President Faye’s closing words echoed across the hall: “This is not just a conference. It is a movement. Together, we can build the Africa we want – an Africa that feeds itself and the world.”
Nigeria stands at a turning point. With ambitious targets for universal electricity access and clean energy adoption, the country’s renewable energy sector must scale up fast. But one stubborn obstacle continues to slow progress, the lack of affordable, naira-based concessional financing, especially for women, low-income consumers, and emerging enterprises.
While policymakers talk up renewable energy and pilot projects show promise, the ecosystem for local-currency concessional loans remains weak and underfunded. Institutions like the Bank of Industry, the Development Bank of Nigeria, and the Central Bank have rolled out some concessional facilities, but these remain a fraction of what is required. Industry estimates put Nigeria’s renewable energy financing gap at a staggering ₦11.4 trillion.
A solar mini-grid system
The shortfall is felt most sharply by early-stage developers and mini-grid operators working in rural communities. They often face high interest rates (running at high as 19 – 23%), short loan maturities (mostly below three years), rigid collateral demands, and repayment schedules that make long-term project viability difficult. Consumer finance schemes targeting bottom-of-the-pyramid households and women-led businesses exist, but they are either too small or difficult to access.
One major problem is that Nigerian lenders, from commercial banks to microfinance institutions, often lack the capital, and the appetite to issue large or long-term naira loans for renewable energy projects. Many financiers remain unfamiliar with the business models, viewing them as risky.
That perception is compounded by the profile of many developers who are mostly young, undercapitalised firms with limited collateral. Policy shifts and regulatory delays also add uncertainty, making banks even more cautious.
Projects aimed at last-mile rural electrification tend to deliver low returns in the short term, which is unattractive to profit-driven lenders unless external de-risking tools are in place. And with Nigeria’s renewable energy market still relatively young, the lack of proven, bankable projects only deepens investor hesitation.
A further gap exists in financial sector expertise. Many lenders have no in-house staff trained in renewable energy project finance. Data that captures the distinct needs of women entrepreneurs or poor consumers is rare, leading to products that inadvertently exclude them.
Some projects have bucked the trend. In 2023, four solar hybrid mini-grids in Osun State, developed through a public-private partnership between Aradel Renewables Limited and Concerto, brought reliable power to 1,200 homes. The scheme relied on blended finance, community engagement, and risk-sharing – demonstrating what is possible with the right mix of support.
In 2025, off-grid solar giant Sun King secured the naira equivalent of $80 million in local-currency loans for product deployment – a rare large-scale deal in the sector. Meanwhile, the African Climate Foundation and Konexa combined technical support with guarantees to unlock over $34 million in capital for Nigeria’s first private renewable energy trading platform.
Yet such examples remain exceptions rather than the norm.
For women-led businesses, the challenge is even greater. Only about 30% of climate finance for energy projects in Nigeria has any gender-sensitive component. Women-led renewable energy firms rarely secure major concessional loans, despite evidence that they often deliver higher repayment rates and broader community benefits.
Other countries offer valuable insights. Mexico and Morocco, for example, have used concessional loans from climate funds, first-loss guarantees, and gender-bond programmes to kickstart renewable markets, attract private investors, and build local expertise.
Around the world, blended finance, structured funds, and green bonds are helping bridge viability gaps and draw in institutional investors.
Analysts argue that Nigeria must act decisively. One proposed solution is a “Nigeria Renewable Energy Credit Facility” a Central Bank-led fund pooling capital from public, donor, and pension fund sources to provide long-term, low-interest naira loans.
Incentives for banks, such as regulatory mandates or preferential reserve ratios for renewable lending, could also push capital toward the sector.
Expanding credit guarantee schemes, introducing partial risk guarantees, and combining donor grants with private capital through blended finance models could further de-risk investments.
Dedicated “Gender and BoP Renewable Bonds” could earmark funds for women-led enterprises and community cooperatives, while pay-as-you-go models could help rural consumers afford clean power.
Capacity-building will be key. Financial institutions need training in renewable energy risk assessment and business models, while market aggregation platforms could pool smaller projects into portfolios that attract bigger investors.
Policymakers are also urged to fast-track frameworks for green bonds and securitization, collect gender-disaggregated financing data, and offer tax breaks or interest subsidies for inclusive projects.
Experts stress that intentional gender inclusion is not just a fairness issue but a growth driver. A minimum share of concessional and blended finance could be directed to women-led projects. Partnerships with civil society could help women entrepreneurs build investment readiness, increasing their success rates and community impact.
Unlocking naira-based concessional finance will not be easy, but the rewards are significant. Done right, it could close Nigeria’s energy access gap, create jobs, stimulate sustainable economic growth, and position the country as a leader in Africa’s clean energy revolution. The question now is whether policymakers and financiers are willing to take bold, targeted action – before the opportunity slips away.
By Clement Chisom John, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN)
The abiding vision of COP30 is the Global Mutirão. This concept, birthed by the Brazilian COP30 Presidency, recognises the need for collective action built brick by brick from the local to the national, the regional, and the global. Mutirão therefore places its feet firmly on the grounds that nothing concrete can be attained in the global drive for climate resilience and sustainable growth without collective and collaborative actions.
This perhaps became extremely urgent as the world battled an attack on multilateralism following the change of government in the United States of America, earlier this year. As some are putting a knife on the things that held us together, it became increasingly important that the world rally and bring back that very important spirit of multilateralism as aptly captured by the Mutirão vision.
Some dignitaries at the Africa Climate Week in Addis Ababa
Significantly, this year too, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) brought back the climate weeks with the first one taking place in Panama. Currently, the second climate week is going on in Ethiopia – the Origin of Life and a significant venue to resurrect the spirit of humanity.
What immediately captures the attention of many participants during the high-level Opening Ceremony is the level of importance given to this by the international community with the event graced by Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ms. Noura Hamladji; both High-level Champions for COP29 and COP30, Ms Nigar Arpadarai and Dan Ioschpe respectively; both COP29 and COP30 Youth Champions, Leyla Hasanova and Marcele Oliveira respectively; Chair of the SBI, etc.
Strikingly, the presence of these champions of climate action was underscored by a repetitive call for collaboration.
Accordingly, Ms. Noura Hamladji stressed that there is no solution to climate change at the scale needed without solidarity and enlightened that climate weeks are about harvesting innovation, sharing best practices, and turning pledges into action.
Ms Hamladji’s view was further echoed by the COP29 High-level Champion and Member of Parliament, Ms Nigar Arpadarai, who highlighted the risk of mistrust in the climate change process and why COP29 tried to ensure that the voices of the global south were heard loud and clear. She reiterated that, to succeed, the COP process must reinvent itself all the time and be deeply etched in honesty, humanity, and a deepening of trust.
This overwhelming emphasis on trust, solidarity and collaboration, becomes more significant when one takes into consideration the fact that, for the UNFCCC, the focus for this second climate week is “Finance for Adaptation” – a focus that resonates with African needs and vision which was highlighted by the Chair of the African Group of negotiators, Dr. Richard Muyungi, when he called for COP30 to make the Global Goal on Adaptation work for Africa. This was further backed by the COP30 Youth Champion.
For Oliveira the youths’ focus is on adaptation finance, with the local communities and people directly impacted part of the decision process.
This unified call for adaptation finance remains a key pillar of Africa’s climate demands. But it must come in the form of grants, and not loans disguised as climate finance.
What one then expects is that this rekindling of the spirit of multilateralism must transcend beyond talks to action. There is an urgent need to mount the right pressures and ensure that the right support is delivered to Africa’s most vulnerable. This is critical as we move from Addis to Baku, to Belém, and beyond.
Thankfully, Ethiopia’s efforts at championing homegrown options and showing conscious leadership on climate action, including through its “Green Legacy Initiative” and the targeted generation of over 5,000 MWs of power through its “Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,” shows Africa’s commitment to champion climate action even as a low-emitting continent. It further sends a message to other African leaders to take up the gauntlet and run with the idea that the continent’s sustainable development is anchored on well-structured climate action.
By Nnaemeka Oruh, Senior Policy Analyst on Climate Change, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in Addis Ababa
In a landmark step towards environmental sustainability, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has commissioned the Optimised System House at Vitapur Nigeria Limited in Lagos, for the production of Methyl Formate-based pre-blended polyols in the Rigid Polyurethane Foam sector.
The project, funded under Stage II of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) of the Montreal Protocol, marks Nigeria’s decisive shift away from ozone-depleting substances and positions the country as one of only two African nations – alongside South Africa – with such a facility.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal (in white), with government, UNDO and Vitapur/Vitafoam officials, at the commissioning
Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, emphasised the significance of the project in Nigeria’s climate and ozone protection efforts.
“With this commissioning, Vitapur has completely phased out the use of HCFC-141b in its operations. This will also support downstream companies to eliminate harmful substances from their foam production lines. Together, we have phased out over 301 metric tons of HCFC-141b, fulfilling Nigeria’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol,” he stated.
The Minister explained that the optimisation of the System House was necessary after challenges such as shrinkage and high-density issues were identified in earlier formulations. The improved facility now deploys a mix of environmentally friendly blowing agents such as Hydrofluoro-olefins (HFOs), Cyclopentane, and Methylal, enabling the sustainable production of high-quality rigid foams for insulation panels, thermoware, spray foams, and other applications.
The project achieved several critical milestones such as:
Provision of modern equipment including blending tanks, smoke detectors, and upgraded control panels.
Supply of advanced raw materials such as silicone, catalysts, and new generation blowing agents.
Establishment of an internationally certified laboratory at Vitapur, equipped with precision testing machines like Flash Point Tester and K-Value Tester for quality assurance.
Job creation and green skills development through the training of indigenous technicians and engineers in ozone-friendly technologies.
The Minister highlighted that this optimisation builds on earlier successes, including the conversion of Slavit Nigeria Ltd in 2023 from HCFC-141b to Cyclopentane-based technology, which phased out an additional 96 metric tons of harmful chemicals.
In its opening remarks, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described the event as not only representing a symbol of Nigeria’s leadership in environmental stewardship, industrial innovation, and sustainable development, but also reflects the strength of partnership between government, private sector, and the international community in advancing climate action and inclusive economic transformation.
Muyiwa Odele, Head, Environment & Climate Change Unit, UNDP, disclosed that UNDP’s global mandate and its work in Nigeria is to support countries in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for which the System House project is a concrete outcome.
“This System House exemplifies how global environmental agreements can be localised to deliver tangible benefits for both people and planet – including – creating green jobs, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and safeguarding public health and ecosystems.
“This commissioning aligns strongly with Nigeria’s commitment under the Montreal Protocol, a global agreement that has successfully phased out nearly 99% of ozone-depleting substances worldwide.
“Through our collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Ozone Office, we are proud to support Nigeria’s transition to ozone- and climate-friendly technologies,” he said.
Odele pointed out that the milestone comes at a time when Nigeria has just validated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 under the Paris Agreement.
“The NDC3.0 is not just a technical document – it is a developmental blueprint that reflects Nigeria’s ambition to transform its economy through clean energy, resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive growth,” he stated.
He added: “As we are all aware, the Montreal Protocol, particularly through its Kigali Amendment, has expanded its focus from ozone depletion to include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The System House technologies being commissioned today promote the use of low-GWP refrigerants and energy-efficient cooling systems, significantly reducing emissions from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent GHGs. Integrating refrigerant transition with energy efficiency not only enhances performance and lowers costs but also creates green jobs – especially for youth – in manufacturing, servicing, and innovation.
“Today’s commissioning is therefore a clear demonstration of how climate action can be a driver of economic transformation, social inclusion, and environmental resilience. It showcases the kind of bold and integrated solutions that are needed to deliver on both national priorities and global commitments.
“We congratulate and salute the courage of Vitapur Ltd for being an industrial trailblazer and for its proactive role in embracing sustainability and innovation. Vitapur’s partnership with the Government and UNDP exemplifies how the private sector can be a powerful engine for climate resilience and green growth.
“It is our hope that today’s milestone will further inspire more collaboration, increased ambition, and unity of purpose, because we at UNDP strongly believe, in line with the Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, that together, we can build a Nigeria where development is not only inclusive and prosperous – but also sustainable and climate-resilient.”
Welcoming guests, Mr. Zakari M. Sada, Chairman of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, the parent company of Vitapur, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainability and job creation.
He urged the Federal Government to introduce policy incentives that would enable local manufacturers to thrive.
“One of our biggest challenges is the import levy and 40% duty imposed on steel sheets used in local sandwich panel production, while finished insulated panels are allowed duty waivers. This policy imbalance hurts domestic industry and discourages investment,” Sada noted.
He also called for stricter enforcement of the ban on ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to protect both the environment and local manufacturing.
In his project status report, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, Group Managing Director of Vitafoam Plc, revealed that the optimised facility has not only phased out HCFC-141b in Vitapur’s operations but has also:
Increased blending capacity for ozone-friendly raw materials.
Enhanced laboratory testing and training capabilities.
Opened opportunities for local research into polyurethane formulations, reducing dependence on imports.
According to him, the initiative supports Nigeria’s industrialisation drive by creating jobs, boosting exports, saving foreign exchange, and enabling technology transfer across sectors such as construction, refrigeration, oil and gas, and automotive industries.
The project aligns with Nigeria’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment, both of which aim to protect the ozone layer and reduce global warming potential (GWP) from industrial chemicals.
“This facility makes Nigeria a leader in West Africa on ozone and climate-friendly technologies. It is a demonstration of how public-private partnerships can deliver sustainable industrial growth while protecting the environment,” said the Minister.
The ceremony ended with a symbolic presentation of the handover certificate for the project from the Federal Government and UNDP to Vitapur Nigeria Limited, marking a new phase in Nigeria’s environmental and industrial development journey.
For decades, the direction of global industry has been set far from Africa. The continent is too often seen only as a supplier of the raw materials – cobalt, lithium, manganese – that power batteries, electric vehicles and sustainable technologies developed and made elsewhere. Those resources rarely power Africa’s own industrial development. Instead, value-added manufacturing and its benefits flow elsewhere.
However, the industrial landscape is shifting. One fifth of countries in the southern hemisphere, including my home country of Brazil, as well as African countries like Morocco, now generate a higher share of electricity from solar and wind than our northern counterparts.
Dan Ioschpe, COP30 Climate High Level Champion
At the same time, Africa holds some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals, alongside the youngest workforce on the planet. If the continent’s industrial sector grows, this could trigger a positive convergence: rapid industrial expansion powered not by coal and oil, but by sun, wind, and water.
As the Climate High-Level Champion for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), my role is to rally businesses, investors, cities, and civil society behind this transformation. But it is also to foster inclusive sustainable development around the world.
Southern countries are ready for a different role: not just as suppliers, but as developers of sustainable industrial development. Instead of solely supplying needed raw materials to the rest of the world to support the global energy transition, these countries can build their own industries and infrastructure. This will create value-added jobs and drive innovation, while meeting urgent energy and mobility needs.
Building the Market: Electric Transport
Electric mobility is one of the clearest examples of this possibility. Africa’s EV market is growing fast, although barriers remain to be tackled like limited charging stations, uneven electricity distribution and high upfront costs. Even so, multiple EV assembly plants are operating or planned in the region, building on existing automotive hubs that can be retooled.
Motorcycles show the potential for growth. In 2010, sub-Saharan Africa had a fleet of 5 million motorcycles. By 2022, it had 27 million. For millions of Africans, they are the backbone of daily life. Electrifying this market could be practical and transformative. Electric two- and three-wheelers are more affordable than cars and could account for half of all sales by 2040. They also create employment beyond riders themselves – in assembly, repairs, sales, battery-swapping and charging infrastructure. In countries grappling with youth unemployment, this is industrial policy and social policy rolled into one.
Rwanda is already showing what it looks like to tailor solutions to local contexts. Despite a weak national grid, the government has pledged to convert 100,000 motorcycles to electric. Local startups are experimenting with solar-powered charging, battery-swapping networks and mini-grids that bypass the main electricity system. The model proves that sustainable solutions can be built from the ground up.
Meanwhile, Spiro, a Nairobi-based electric mobility company, will open an assembly plant in Ogun State, Nigeria next March. The plant will produce 100,000 electric bikes and localise battery and three-wheeler manufacturing.
These are good examples of important e-mobility developments in the region, that could drive social, economic and sustainable development.
Unleashing Africa’s sustainable growth
What governments choose to do next will also determine how fast this market takes off. Nigeria is offering a 10-year tax relief to local manufacturers in exchange for 30 percent domestic production of EVs by 2032. South Africa, home to one of Africa’s biggest automotive industries, has built electric mobility into its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan as a driver of future growth and employment. Other countries are fostering domestic demand through tariff cuts on EV imports.
While this is positive, regional markets remain fragmented, and policy signals could be more consistent. International financing is still scarce. As the world gathers in Addis Ababa for the Africa Climate Summit this week, we have a chance to remove some of these bottlenecks and scale what’s working.
If governments can support with the right regulatory environment, the private sector is ready to deliver. Businesses are breaking ground on new sustainable industries. Cities are designing mobility systems around renewable energy. Youth entrepreneurs are experimenting with new business models based on sustainable solutions. This is what a climate action agenda should look like.
The opportunities are extensive, reaching low-carbon steel, sustainable agriculture, hydrogen-based solutions and more. If we align now, Africa can accelerate its development through a sustainability-driven strategy – becoming both a global solutions hub and a driver of shared prosperity.
Environmental experts have called on the Nigerian government to take urgent action against plastic use, warning of serious health and ecological risks associated with growing plastic dependence.
Speaking during a stakeholder forum, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, Coordinator of the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grant Programme (GEF SGP), said plastic pollution has reached alarming levels, threatening both human health and the environment.
Plastic pollution
“In spite of the versatility of plastics, we must quickly consider and invest in alternatives.
“We need strong political will.
“Lagos banned styrofoam, and people adapted. A gradual ban on plastics is necessary if we care about our lives and future,” she said.
Olubamise urged the government to create an enabling environment for alternative materials to thrive.
She noted that almost every item, especially food, was now packaged in plastic, making microplastic contamination inevitable.
“It’s no surprise that research now confirms microplastics in our food,” she said, assuring that UNDP GEF SGP remained committed to supporting innovative alternatives.
“A recent study conducted by researchers from Birmingham University of Ukraine revealed that hot tea contains the highest microplastic concentrations, averaging 60 particles per litre, more than double that found in soft drinks.
“Hot coffee contained 43 particles, while iced coffee had 37 particles per litre.”
Dr Michael David, Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), said the findings underscored the interconnectedness of human health and environmental protection.
“Plastic packaging threatens both sustainability and public health.
“If plastics continue to flood our ecosystems, they will cycle back into human consumption through food and water,” David said.
David called for urgent regulatory action, noting that plastic waste was already a visible problem in Nigeria’s cities, rivers, and farmlands.
He added that sachet water and bottled drinks stored in heat might leach harmful microplastics.
“Even beverages perceived as healthy, like fruit juices, weren’t spared from contamination.
“Microplastics have been linked to inflammation, cellular damage, and hormone disruption,” he warned.
From an environmental angle, David said wildlife and aquatic species also ingested microplastics, leading to food chain disruptions and biodiversity loss.
He advised Nigerians to avoid reheating drinks in plastic containers, use stainless steel or glass bottles, minimise sachet water exposed to sunlight, boil and filter tap water before drinking, and support recycling and community plastic bans
David called for more investment in biodegradable packaging, stricter regulations, and nationwide awareness campaigns to reduce exposure and protect public health.
“Addressing this issue requires both systemic change and consumer action.
“We also need more local studies to understand the full impact of microplastics on Nigerians,” he added.
The UNFCCC’s Africa Climate Week (ACW) 2025 is in full swing at the Addis International Convention Centre (AICC). Participants from all over the world have gathered to hold conversations centred on moving beyond ambition to implementation.
Although relatively different from the city-wide nature of the London Climate Action Week and even recently, the Rio Climate Action Week (RCAW), ACW is packed with loads of programmes aimed at motivating engagements, especially bilaterally, that will further advance Africa’s position in the landscape of global climate action.
Nnaemeka Oruh (right) and Gboyega Olorunfemi
Within the first two days, we have witnessed key events such as NDC clinics with high-level engagement by key stakeholders and donor organisations working on providing implementation support for key aspects of the NDCs 3.0 of countries; the breakout sessions on the UAE Just Transition Work Programme; brainstorming sessions on adaptation finance; and critically, series of open-access meetings aimed at capacity building for accessing climate finance.
Aware that this is a critical year for NDCs and bearing in mind that this iteration must reflect not only increased ambition, but also address implementation challenge – finance being key – the NDC clinics take on added importance as they present an interactive clinic for shared ideas and careful mapping of the way forward hinged on professional expertise and local experiences.
Conversations on adaptation finance in particular and capacity building on how to access climate finance are both also central and align with the NDC issue. Africa needs climate finance to not only tackle climate adaption challenges, mitigate emissions, seek for ways to deal with the losses and damages from climate impacts, but also to position itself for sustainable development. These sessions, from NDC clinics to capacity building on accessing climate finance are thus critical and as expected, at the soul of the Africa Climate Week.
Curiously, as you navigate from one room to the other, and interact with participants from across the world, one thing immediately strikes you as an African – the absence of subnational actors at these very important sessions. This absence resoundingly points to an ongoing pattern of limited subnational participation in key climate conferences where they can learn, build alliances, and position themselves to be more impactful.
At almost every key climate change event, representatives of the national government dominate with little or no participation by the subnational actors who, indeed, should be at the frontline of climate action.
This absence of subnational actors’ voice – the real implementers of climate action and those who bear the direct brunt of extreme climate change vulnerabilities – is reflective of not just national disregard of their importance, but also of the lack of awareness by the subnational of their own importance.
This blatant disregard of the subnational and the key role they play has been the subject of many international, regional, national, and subnational engagements by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) most of which are geared towards enhancing the capacity and awareness of subnational actors in the climate discourse, while also consciously ensuring that they retrieve their right of place at the table.
It is often the case that at the end of gatherings such as this, many are quick to tag them as climate “razzmatazz” with no concrete impact on the continent. Yet, we forget that oftentimes, what makes a gathering impactful does not necessarily have to be the line up and depth of events, but also how much each country makes concrete efforts to ensure that the right people – in this case the subnational actors – are part of the process.
Indeed, it is important that subnational actors should not be missing during these technical sessions of knowledge sharing and exchanges hence it is highly imperative that priority is accorded them to participate at these events with adequate funding. It is only when the right people are in the room, will they be able to learn, contribute to shaping the process, and finally lead implementation.
By Nnaemeka Oruh and Gboyega Olorunfemi, Senior Policy Analysts, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in Addis Ababa
NNPC Ltd. has appointed two seasoned executives, Mr. Andy Odeh and Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi, to key leadership positions. Mr. Odeh assumes the role of Chief Corporate Communications Officer, while Mrs. Adewunmi has been appointed Chief Relations Officer.
Mr. Odeh brings over three decades of extensive experience in communications and business administration across the oil and gas, advertising, and broadcasting sectors. Prior to joining NNPC, he had a distinguished 26-year career at Nigeria LNG (NLNG).
Mr. Andy Odeh (top) and Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi
There, he held various leadership roles in Community Relations and Development; Business Logistics and Services; Information Management and Technology; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance, and most recently, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development.
He is recognised for his work on major public relations and advertising campaigns for top brands. At NLNG, he successfully managed the company’s rebranding and implemented one of Nigeria’s best-run micro-credit schemes for host communities. Mr. Odeh was also instrumental in instituting the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting. He is an alumnus of the University of Jos, the University of Lagos, INSEAD Business School, and the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), among others.
Mrs. Adewunmi is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Her expertise is in stakeholder management and advocacy, particularly from her extensive tenure at the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN). She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex external landscapes, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting the company’s “License to operate”.
At Shell, she held key roles, including Regulatory Affairs Manager, where she managed all mandatory regulatory engagements and permits. As the Government Relations Manager, she built and maintained constructive relationships with the Presidency, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Mrs. Adewunmi is known for her strong leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to build robust stakeholder networks. She is a subject matter expert on non-technical risks and has a background in law from the Nigerian Law School and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
NNPC says the appointment of Mr. Odeh and Mrs. Adewunmi reflects its commitment to enhancing communication and engagement with stakeholders.
