Nigeria secures climate, tech partnerships at UN Summit in Addis Ababa

By Kunle Sanni –

Nigeria has secured two major international partnerships aimed at bolstering its climate action and technological development goals during the ongoing United Nations Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced on Monday that the Federal Government is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a global consortium comprising the Dalberg Group and Campo Group to drive its ambitious Green Legacy Programme.

The initiative, inspired by Ethiopia’s feat of planting 46 billion trees, aims to support Nigeria’s target of planting 25 billion trees, with an immediate goal of 10 billion.

“We have very tall and ambitious projects here, and where there is a will, there is always a way. If Ethiopia, a hilly country of highlands and mountains, can plant 46 billion trees, then our target of 25 billion is modest,” Shettima said during a high-level meeting with consortium representatives on the summit’s sidelines.

The Vice President described President Bola Tinubu as a transformational and courageous leader, emphasizing that the Green Legacy Programme reflects the administration’s commitment to redefining leadership in Africa through bold and visionary initiatives.

In a separate development, Nigeria was selected as the host country for the first-ever South-South Technology Transfer Centre for Africa by the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC). The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting between Shettima and OSC Secretary-General, Manssour Bin Mussallam, also in Addis Ababa.

Mr. Mussallam commended Nigeria for its early ratification of the OSC charter and continued support for South-South cooperation. He also proposed Nigeria as host of the upcoming African South-South Summit.

The Technology Transfer Centre will serve as a regional hub for sharing innovative solutions, driving knowledge-based economies, and deepening collaboration among member states.