SEO Riders:
– Nigeria carbon market activation
– Climate finance via carbon credits
– Ministers urged to fast-track carbon policy
Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment to leverage carbon markets as both an engine for climate mitigation and a growth driver. The finalized Carbon Market Activation Policy, introduced in March 2025, lays critical groundwork—establishing a national carbon registry, aligning with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and offering private-sector incentives to scale high-integrity credit generation. These moves are strategically integrated with Nigeria’s net-zero ambitions and broader Energy Transition Plan, opening avenues for investments into clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and other green sectors.
Experts highlight the economic potential: a $2 billion annual opportunity by 2030 via voluntary carbon markets, and up to $2.5 billion in high-integrity investments if activation is managed, To realize this, stakeholders—including federal ministries, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and subnational actors—must rapidly finalize policy frameworks, build capacity for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), enhance awareness, and ensure equitable benefits for communities and ecosystems.