Connect with us

Economy

NGX Spearheads Green Finance Solutions for Nigeria’s Environmental Challenges

Published

on

Green Finance Solutions

Nigeria, a nation endowed with vast natural resources, faces a looming ecological catastrophe that threatens its economic stability and the well-being of its citizens. The unrelenting march of deforestation and desertification is leaving an indelible scar on the country’s landscape, exacerbating climate change woes and jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions.

According to statistics from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Nigeria grapples with an annual deforestation rate of 3.7%, the highest globally. Between 2002 and 2023, the country lost over 178,000 hectares, amounting to a staggering 95% of tree cover in natural forest areas (Global Forest Watch). This unchecked deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and urbanization, has far-reaching consequences, including biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and a significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, the spectre of desertification looms large, with a staggering 62 million Nigerians directly exposed to its debilitating impacts, as reported by UNOOSA. Desertification, a process characterized by the degradation of fertile land, has led to reduced agricultural productivity, water scarcity, and exacerbated poverty levels, particularly in the northern regions of the country.

NGX: Championing Sustainable Finance Solutions

Amidst the grim realities of environmental degradation, a glimmer of hope emerges from Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the nation’s premier securities exchange. NGX has taken bold strides in championing sustainable finance solutions, positioning itself as a catalyst for positive change.

In 2016, NGX launched the Green Bond Market Development Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering innovative financial instruments aligned with Nigeria’s climate mitigation and adaptation targets. This program laid the foundation for the issuance of Nigeria’s maiden sovereign green bond in 2017, valued at a significant N10.69 billion (approximately $26 million at the time).

The landmark green bond issuance was a collaborative effort between NGX, the Debt Management Office (DMO), and the Federal Ministry of Environment. The success of Nigeria’s inaugural sovereign green bond paved the way for subsequent issuances, with corporate trailblazers like Access Bank and North South Power Company leading the charge. These entities have issued corporate green bonds, collectively contributing over $136 million to the nation’s burgeoning green finance market, as reported by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

Notably, several Nigerian states, including Gombe, are exploring the issuance of green bonds to finance developmental challenges and combat climate change issues like desertification and water scarcity. This decentralized approach underscores the growing recognition of sustainable finance as a powerful tool for achieving sustainable development goals at both national and sub-national levels.

Recognizing the need for global collaboration in tackling environmental challenges, NGX has forged strategic partnerships with international organizations, further amplifying its impact. One such partnership is with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE), a leading global platform for sustainable finance. This groundbreaking collaboration facilitates the cross-listing and trading of green bonds, enhancing their visibility and attractiveness to international investors. By creating a robust platform for green finance, this partnership enables Nigerian green bonds to gain global recognition and attract much-needed investment from environmentally conscious investors worldwide.

Capacity Building with IFC

Moreover, NGX’s collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has been instrumental in developing and issuing green, social, and sustainability bonds in Nigeria. Through knowledge sharing, training domestic verifiers, and building capacity, NGX is ensuring the credibility and integrity of green finance instruments in the Nigerian market.

Temi Popoola, GMD/CEO of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, “The limited flow of climate finance remains a major issue for the implementation of mitigation and adaptation actions in Africa, particularly Nigeria. NGX’s collaboration with internationally recognized organizations like the IFC is targeted at sharing valuable green finance experiences and best practices, as well as promoting the development of sustainable finance market segments to support various stakeholders.”

Leveraging Green Finance and Carbon Markets

NGX’s efforts extend beyond the issuance of green bonds to leveraging the full potential of sustainable finance to address the pressing challenges of deforestation and desertification. One promising avenue is the development of a robust carbon market, which would incentivize the preservation of forests and the restoration of degraded lands. Through the carbon market, companies and organizations can purchase carbon credits, which represent the removal or avoidance of a certain amount of greenhouse gas emissions. These credits can be generated by projects that protect or restore forests, as well as initiatives that combat desertification through sustainable land management practices.

By creating a demand for carbon credits, the carbon market provides a financial incentive for entities to invest in projects that mitigate deforestation and desertification. This market-based approach not only generates revenue for conservation efforts but also encourages the private sector to actively participate in environmental stewardship. Currently, NGX is collaborating with other stakeholders and the Nigerian Climate Change Council on the framework for Nigeria’s carbon market.

Specialized Green Bonds for Environmental Conservation

Additionally, entities can explore the issuance of specialized green bonds specifically targeted at financing projects that address deforestation and desertification. These bonds could fund reforestation initiatives, agroforestry practices, and sustainable land management techniques, thereby directly tackling the root causes of these environmental challenges. NGX’s platform provides an avenue for issuers to adequately secure funding for these activities.

By leveraging the power of green finance and carbon markets, NGX is positioning itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s efforts to combat deforestation and desertification. As Jude Chiemeka, Ag. CEO of NGX, stated, “NGX recognizes the power and potential of sustainable finance. It is not merely a buzzword but a transformative force that has the potential to shape the economy and society for the better. The Exchange has wholeheartedly embraced this and is taking concrete steps to contribute to the advancement of sustainable finance in Nigeria.”

Through innovative financial instruments, international collaborations, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, NGX is paving the way for a sustainable future for Nigeria, where economic growth and environmental preservation coexist in harmony.

Economy

Petrol Supply up 55.4% as Daily Consumption Reaches 52.1 million Litres

Published

on

sufficient supply petrol

By Adedapo Adesanya

The supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, increased by 55.4 per cent on a month-on-month basis to 71.5 million litres per day in November 2025 from 46 million litres per day in October.

This was contained in the November 2025 fact sheet of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Monday.

The data showed that the nation’s consumption also increased by 44.5 per cent or 37.4 million litres to 52.1 million litres per day in November 2025, against 28.9 million litres in October.

The significant increase in petrol supply last month was on account of the imports by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited into the Nigerian market from both the domestic and the international market.

Domestic refineries supplied in the period stood at 17.1 million litres per day, while the average daily consumption of PMS for the month was 52.9 million litres per day.

The NMDPRA noted that no production activities were recorded in all the state-owned refineries, which included Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, in the period, as the refineries remained shut down.

According to the report, the imports were aimed at building inventory and further guaranteeing supply during the peak demand period.

Other reasons for the increase, according to the NMDPRA, were due to “low supply recorded in September and October 2025, below the national demand threshold; the need for boosting national stock level to meet the peak demand period of end of year festivities, and twelve vessels programmed to discharge into October, which spilled into November.”

On gas, the average daily gas supply climbed to 4.684 billion standard cubic feet per day in November 2025, from the 3.94 bscf/d average processing level recorded in October.

The Nigeria LNG Trains 1-6 also maintained a stable processing output of 3.5 bscf/d in November 2025, but utilisation improved slightly to 73.7 per cent compared with 71.68 per cent in October.

The increase, according to the report, was driven by higher plant utilisation across processing hubs and steady export volumes from the Nigeria LNG plant in Bonny.

“As of November 2025, Nigeria’s major gas processing facilities recorded improved output and utilisation levels, with the Nigeria LNG Trains 1-6 processing 3.50 billion standard cubic feet per day at a utilisation rate of 73.70 per cent.

“Gbaran Ubie Gas Plant processed 1.250 bscf per day, operating at 71.21 per cent utilisation, while the MPNU Bonny River Terminal recorded a throughput of 0.690 bscf per day during the period. Processing activities at the Escravos Gas Plant stood at 0.680 bscf per day, representing a 62 per cent utilisation rate, whereas the Soku Gas Plant emerged as the top performer, processing 0.600 bscf per day at 96.84 per cent utilisation,” it stated.

Continue Reading

Economy

Secure Electronic Technology Suspends Share Reconstruction as Investors Pull Out

Published

on

Secure Electronic Technology

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The proposed share reconstruction of a local gaming firm, Secure Electronic Technology (SET), has been suspended.

The Lagos-based company decided to shelve the exercise after negotiations with potential investors crumbled like a house of cards.

Secure Electronic Technology was earlier in talks with some foreign investors interested in the organisation.

Plans were underway to restructure the shares of the company, which are listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.

However, things did not go as planned as the potential investors pulled out, leaving the board to consider others ways to move the firm forward.

Confirming this development, the company secretary, Ms Irene Attoe, in a statement, said the board would explore other means to keep the company running to deliver value to shareholders.

“This is to notify the NGX and the investing public that a meeting of the board of SET held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as scheduled, to consider the status of the proposed share reconstruction and recapitalisation as approved by the members at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on April 16, 2025.

“After due deliberations, the board wishes to announce that the proposed share reconstruction will not take place as anticipated due to the inability of the parties to reach a convergence on the best and mutually viable terms.

“Thus, following an impasse in the negotiations, and the investors’ withdrawal from the transaction, the board has, in the interest of all members, decided to accept these outcomes and move ahead in the overall interest of the business.

“The board is committed to driving the strategic objectives of SEC and to seeking viable opportunities for sustainable growth of the company,” the disclosure stated.

Business Post reports that the share price of SET crashed by 3.85 per cent on Tuesday on Customs Street on Tuesday to 75 Kobo. Its 52-week high remains N1.33 and its one-year low is 45 Kobo. Today, investors transacted 39,331,958 units.

Continue Reading

Economy

Clea to Streamline Cross-Border Payments for African Importers

Published

on

Clea Payment platform

By Adedapo Adesanya

Clea, a blockchain-powered platform that allows African importers to pay international suppliers in USD while settling locally, has officially launched.

During its pilot phase, Clea processed more than $4 million in cross-border transactions, demonstrating strong early demand from businesses navigating the complexities of global trade.

Clea addresses persistent challenges that African importers have long struggled with, including limited FX access, unpredictable exchange rates, high bank charges, fraudulent intermediaries, and payment delays that slow or halt shipments. The continent also faces a trade-finance gap estimated at over $120 billion annually, limiting importers’ ability to access the FX and financial infrastructure needed for timely international payments by offering fast, transparent, and direct USD settlements, completed without intermediaries or banking bottlenecks.

Founded by Mr Sheriff Adedokun, Mr Iyiola Osuagwu, and Mr Sidney Egwuatu, Clea was created from the team’s own experiences dealing with unreliable international payments. The platform currently serves Nigerian importers trading with suppliers in the United States, China, and the UAE, with plans to expand into additional trade corridors.

The platform will allow local payments in Naira with instant access to Dollars as well as instant, same-day, or next-day settlement options and transparent, traceable transactions that reduce fraud risk.

Speaking on the launch, Mr Adedokun said, “Importers face unnecessary stress when payments are delayed or rejected. Clea eliminates that uncertainty by offering reliable, secure, and traceable payments completed in the importer’s own name, strengthening supplier confidence from day one.”

Mr Osuagwu, co-founder & CTO, added, “Our goal is to make global trade feel as seamless as a local transfer. By connecting local currencies to global transactions through blockchain technology, we are removing long-standing barriers that have limited African importers for years.”

According to a statement shared with Business Post, Clea is already working with shipping operators who refer merchants to the platform and is also engaging trade associations and logistics networks in key import hubs. The company remains fully bootstrapped but is open to strategic investors aligned with its mission to build a trusted global payment network for African businesses.

Continue Reading

Trending