In a bold move to position Nigeria as a green finance leader in Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Nigerian Climate Investment Platform (NCIP), a $500 million initiative to attract international and local funding for climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainability-focused innovation.

The groundbreaking initiative was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja during a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. Also in attendance were top officials from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Designed to catalyze investment in climate adaptation and low-carbon infrastructure, the NCIP is expected to become Nigeria’s flagship platform for accessing global climate finance and leveraging the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“NSIA has the trust and track record to lead,” said Minister Edun. “If accreditation is the last hurdle, I’m confident they’re ready. The global economic environment demands that we leverage all opportunities climate finance included to drive growth, boost export competitiveness, and support sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and digital innovation.”

He emphasized that tapping into climate finance is an environmental imperative and a strategic economic decision in light of shifting global trade dynamics.

NSIA Managing Director and CEO, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, noted that the NCIP was born out of a direct challenge from the Finance Minister to design a credible, investment-ready platform that can unlock significant capital flows. “We’ve worked with the GCF and local stakeholders to develop a structure that can attract both international and domestic capital,” he said.

Representing the Green Climate Fund, Mr. Soji Omisore acknowledged the absence of any standalone GCF-backed project focused solely on Nigeria and underscored the NCIP’s potential to fill that gap. “We currently have no standalone project focused solely on Nigeria. That needs to change. We are here to co-create a country platform that aligns with Nigeria’s climate strategy,” he remarked.

Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director-General of the NCCC, stressed the importance of accreditation for key Nigerian institutions, pointing out that other countries with smaller economies already benefit from multiple GCF-accredited agencies. “We are pushing for the NSIA, NASRDA, and even the Ministry of Finance to pursue accreditation,” she said.

With its $500 million capital mobilization target, the NCIP is expected to deliver transformative investments in key sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital innovation, all while promoting job creation and climate resilience.

As climate risks grow and international financing shifts toward greener economies, Nigeria’s NCIP stands as a timely and strategic pivot toward sustainable growth. If successful, it could serve as a model for other developing nations aiming to blend economic development with environmental responsibility.