The UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have organized a crucial workshop titled ‘Roundtable on State Access to Climate Finance’ to bolster the ability of State commissioners, Directors General, advisors, and officials to secure climate finance for their development needs.
L-R: Daniel Yeo, Senior Climate Advisor, UKNIAF, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Acting DG, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kingsley Anosike, Hon. Comm. Budget and Economic Planning, Engr. Frank Edozie, Power Component Lead, UKNIAF, Martine Sobey, Climate Change and Nature Team Lead FCDO) and Eghosa M. Omoigui, Head, Stakeholder Relationship, Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The workshop in Abuja on Wednesday and Thursday, was especially timely as Nigeria faces significant challenges from climate change and the pressing need for sustainable financial solutions.
“States are on the front line of responding to climate change so the intent of this roundtable is to help States explore how climate finance can be a tool to accomplish their development goals, and specifically how to work through political and financial viability of projects and initiatives to better approach sources of climate finance.
“It will also aim to share experiences between States and kick start inter-state collaboration, with the support of NGF”, said a statement issued by the organisers.
It listed key objectives of the workshop as follows:
Sharing state-Level experiences of integrating climate finance with current development and investment priorities.
Insights from UKNIAF: Participants will gain valuable insights from UKNIAF’s extensive work on project development and strategies for accessing climate finance.
Collaboration platform: The workshop aims to foster collaboration among states on issues of collective interest.
Path to bankability: The event will provide a space for states to identify and discuss areas of work necessary to achieve bankability for climate-related projects.
Meanwhile, the themes for discussion included: The roundtable will focus on the interests of the participants and will feature highly interactive discussions on various key themes.
Carbon Market Financing: Exploring opportunities within carbon markets and how to develop projects that can attract investment.
Bankability: Strategies for developing and originating projects that are attractive to climate finance investors.
Green Bonds: Understanding the opportunities, realities, and challenges of issuing state-level green bonds to finance or refinance projects.
“The workshop highlights the increasing interest in subnational access to climate finance, acknowledging that states are at the forefront of climate action. Supported by the NGF, this event represents a significant step toward enabling states to effectively attract climate finance for their development needs.
“United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF)
The UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) is a UK government-funded initiative designed to support Nigeria in developing its infrastructure sectors. UKNIAF provides technical expertise and capacity building to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is a coalition of elected state governors created to enhance collaboration among the executive governors of Nigeria. It aims to promote inclusive governance and sustainable development. NGF serves as a credible, authoritative and effective inter-party platform for consensus building, peaceful resolution and advancement of pan-Nigeria goals, interests and aspirations”, the statement added.
