Nasarawa State Government has secured a $160,000 grant from the African Climate Foundation to develop a Climate Investment Platform (CIP) aimed at boosting clean energy solution to the effect of climate change.
Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Managing Director, Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), stated this at a stakeholders’ engagement on the CIP project on Monday, February 3, 2025, in Lafia, the state capital.
Abdullah said that the climate investment platform would serve as a hub to pull together projects that would key into the state’s ambition of transitioning to cleaner energy solutions.
He said the CIP project being implemented by Murty International would enhance climate-smart agriculture, constructions and other climate-smart initiatives.
He explained that the project involved development of strategic policy documents and actions plans for emission reduction, capacity building for businesses to support climate-smart investments and guide climate action in Nasarawa State.
According to Abdullahi, Nasarawa is the first state in Nigeria to develop the CIP.
“The CIP is a key component of a broader strategy to position Nasarawa State as a leading destination for climate-smart investment,” he said.
Mr. Sesan Adedapo, from Murty International, the implementing firm, said the project involves creating a science-based climate policy and action plan for Nasarawa State.
He said the platform would also provide a climate financing strategy to attract local and international investors to the state, and as well provide technical assistance, and capacity building for local businesses to adopt and implement energy efficient technologies.
Also speaking, Dr. Adnan Aminu, the Project Consultant, said the stakeholders’ engagement was meant to gather their insight on climate investment needs, priorities and challenges across key sectors – Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, Waste management, Commerce and Industry.
Aminu also pointed out the engagement was to get stakeholders’ support and commitment and as well as identifying local barriers to climate financing and opportunities for policy or regulatory improvement.
By Oboh Linus