NEWS
Abia State Emerges Top in Nigerian Sustainability Financing Programme, Poised to Attract Green Investments and Climate Finance
Abia State has emerged as the leading State in the Nigerian Sustainability Financing Programme, a development that brings it closer to accessing climate finance and attracting green investments, officials announced Wednesday.
The disclosure was made by the National Team Leader of The Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuoke, during a high-level meeting with Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
Speaking on the State’s achievement, Mr. Ugwuoke said, “Within eight months, beginning from July 2025, PACE conducted a Climate Finance Readiness Assessment for the State to evaluate existing systems and institutional structures.”
He explained that the assessment identified external bottlenecks and produced a reform action plan that has already been agreed upon by both the State government and PACE.
He further noted, “The team also provided technical input into the review and the finalisation of the Abia Development Plan prior to its launch.”
Highlighting the State’s progress in climate policy, Mr. Ugwuoke said, “The Abia Climate Change Policy is about 99 per cent complete and undergoing final review before submission for adoption by the State government.”
He added that as part of private sector engagement, four companies from Abia participated alongside firms from Kano, Kaduna, and other States. The Abia delegation was described as “outstanding” during the session, with PACE facilitating connections between Abia-based businesses and potential investors through the Nigeria Sustainable Finance platform.
Mr. Ugwuoke also revealed that the State’s validated investment pipeline includes ambitious projects in energy, transport, and sustainable infrastructure. These initiatives cover gas and solar energy, the revamping and modernisation of Abia Line transport services, clean energy transportation projects, solar micro-grids, waste-to-wealth ventures, and a low-carbon geopolymer cement project valued between $40 million and $60 million, among others.
He urged the Abia State Government to consider establishing a Climate Resilient Fund within the next 60 to 90 days to strengthen investor confidence and support technical advisory services, promising that PACE would provide continued advisory support to the government.
Responding, Governor Otti commended PACE for its intervention in Abia and reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to sustainable development.
Acknowledging the global concerns surrounding climate change, the Governor noted, “Developing regions that contributed minimally to global emissions should not bear disproportionate responsibility.”
Governor Otti highlighted some of Abia’s proactive initiatives, including the introduction of electric buses under its transport reform programme, which operated free of charge from December 2025 before fares were introduced in March 2026.
He added, “The battery-powered buses have proven to be cheaper and easier to maintain than internal combustion engine vehicles.”
He further detailed the State’s investment in solar-powered street lights and ongoing exploration of alternative energy solutions to strengthen power supply, asserting that his administration remains committed to supporting local businesses while positioning Abia as a destination for climate finance and green growth.
During the meeting, beneficiaries of PACE-facilitated initiatives, including Dr. Sunny Alison, Chairman of Vostok Meridian Limited, and Mr. Hemenandu Nwachukwu, founder of Hemeko Renewable Solutions, commended Governor Otti for providing an enabling environment in Abia State. They also expressed appreciation to PACE for its support.
Dr. Alison disclosed plans to invest in transportation and logistics, including support for the emerging Abia airport project, cargo operations, and integrated multimodal transport systems covering road, rail, air, and sea, promising to introduce modern and environmentally friendly transport solutions to complement the State’s development vision.
Mr. Nwachukwu said that through the State-backed readiness assessment facilitated by PACE, his company was exposed to funding windows under global and domestic climate finance frameworks. He revealed that his firm attended the Nigerian Sustainable Finance Initiative Summit in Lagos, where participants were sensitised on available climate funds and investment opportunities.
He added, “The technology developed has been validated by Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, with support from the Abia State Government.”
The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, including Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer; Hon. Philemon Ogbonna, Commissioner for Environment; Mr. Chinedum Chijioke, DG/CEO of the Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office; Dr. Friday Kanu Ohuche, Chief Economic Adviser; and Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Special Adv
iser on Monitoring and Evaluation.