The Resources and Environmental Policy Research Centre, Environment for Development (REPRC-EfD), University of Nigeria,Nsukka has unveiled a regional initiative aimed at strengthening climate finance systems and promoting inclusive low-carbon development in West Africa subregion.

Besides, it is a three-year project, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is being implemented by thr REPRC-EfD, in collaboration with partners from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and the Environment for Development (EfD) Global Hub at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Speaking at Stakeholders Inception Workshop in Abuja, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the successful implementation of the project, bringing together policymakers, researchers, financial institutions, experts to discuss strategies for climate finance mobilisation and access for vulnerable groups across the region.

Ortuanya assured the Stakeholders of the University’s ‘unflinching support ‘ in ensuring that the project achieves its objectives and delivers meaningful outcomes for Nigeria and other participating countries across African continent.

He noted that climate change remains one of the greatest development challenges facing the continent, stressing the need for stronger partnerships, research-driven policies and inclusive financial systems to support adaptation and resilience.

Also speaking,the Project Team Leader and Director of REPRC-EfD, Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, explained that the initiative was designed to address persistent barriers preventing African countries from accessing and deploying climate finance at the scale required to meet national climate commitments.

“The climate hazards such as flooding, severe heatwaves and prolonged droughts will continue to threaten food security, biodiversity, livelihoods and economic stability across the region. Despite the commitments in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), many African countries still face significant climate financing gaps,”Chukwuone added,

He hinted that the current climate finance received by West African and Sahel countries covers only about seven per cent of their projected needs by 2030, while countries such as Nigeria and Ghana continue to record substantial annual financing deficits.

According to the University don, they have identified weak climate-responsive fiscal policies, inadequate mobilisation of public and private climate finance, and limited access to funding for grassroots actors, women-led enterprises and small businesses as major systemic challenges confronting the subregion.

Explaining further, he said the project would examine and strengthen fiscal, financial and policy frameworks to enhance climate finance mobilisation while also developing innovative financial tools and building institutional capacity for low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

“The project will focus on Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, while drawing expertise from a consortium of institutions including the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, African Energy Transition Services (AETS), Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, and the EfD Global Hub, Sweden.

Under the project’s framework, researchers will deploy computable general equilibrium models, stakeholder surveys, political economy studies and participatory action research to assess climate-related reforms and co-design innovative financing instruments.”

The Project Team Leader and Director of REPRC-EfD, emphasized that the project also includes pilot-testing financial instruments with 200 MSMEs across participating countries, alongside capacity-building programmes for regulators, financial institutions and community organisations.

“The implementation period for the Africa project runs from 2026 to 2028, while the project is expected to contribute to improved fiscal and policy frameworks, expanded climate finance mobilisation, enhanced access for marginalised groups and stronger institutional capacity for climate governance in West Africa,”he added.

Participants at the workshop highlighted the importance of inclusive climate finance systems that prioritise women, youth, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and local communities that are often excluded from mainstream funding mechanisms.

The inception workshop also provided an opportunity for the Inaugural meeting of the Project Advisory Committee, chaired by the former Director of Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative, Sweden, Professor Gunnar Kohlin.