NES#31: PACE Unveils Nigeria’s First Climate Finance Guide

The United Kingdom–funded Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) programme will on Monday unveil its Guide for Assessing Capability to Access Climate Finance, Nigeria’s first practical toolkit for strengthening readiness to mobilize global climate funds.

The launch will take place on the sidelines of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#31), scheduled for October 6–8 in Abuja. Nigeria requires an estimated $17.7 billion annually to meet its Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets; yet, it currently accesses less than 10% of that amount.

The PACE Guide seeks to bridge this gap by equipping state governments and eco-friendly businesses with a step-by-step framework to identify, prepare for, and access funding from sources such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

By positioning climate finance as both a governance reform tool and a driver of inclusive economic growth, the Guide demonstrates how Nigeria can translate climate commitments into tangible outcomes: resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, green jobs, and fiscal stability.

A press statement by PACE ahead of the launch emphasized the tool’s significance:

“This is not just another report. The PACE Guide is a practical toolkit—templates, funding sources, and readiness checklists—designed to move Nigeria from pledges to projects, from commitments to climate-smart investments that improve lives,” the statement reads.

The Guide highlights four core benefits:

• Economic Growth & Jobs – Green infrastructure, agriculture, and industry.
• Resilience & Security – Reducing $100B+ annual losses from floods, droughts, and climate shocks.
• Fiscal Stability – Easing debt burdens and freeing resources for health and education.
• Equity & Inclusion – Ensuring women, youth, and vulnerable groups benefit.

The launch will bring together ministers, governors, policymakers, investors, and climate experts, showcasing how states and the private sector can leverage the toolkit to attract climate finance and deliver tangible action.

Key Facts:

• $17.7 billion required annually for Nigeria to meet its climate commitments
• Less than 10% currently accessed
• Over $100 billion lost each year to climate shocks

The event marks a milestone in positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in the drive for fairer access to global climate finance, aligning with the upcoming COP30 negotiations and the wider climate justice debate.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, 6th October 2025
• Time: 2:00 PM
• Venue: Lagos Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja

Media Contacts:

Enene Ejembi – Media Advisor | eejembi@pacenigeria.org
Rachel Illah – KM/Comms Lead | rillah@pacenigeria.org