Augustine Aminu
Nigeria’s bid to reduce carbon emission has received a boost as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has sealed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Vitol to invest in carbon avoidance and offsetting projects.
In a recent statement, NSIA said the agreement would commit $50 million into the new venture.
Through the agreement, NSIA said both companies would invest exclusively in projects in Nigeria, partnering with local nongovernmental organisations which deliver high quality projects that combine carbon offsetting with social benefits.
The NSIA added that the new venture is open to new investors, as the partners develop the project pipeline.
It said the initiative would seek to mobilise voluntary market carbon capital from the partners and potentially third parties towards a more equitable energy transition for Africa.
Speaking on the partnership, Uche Orji, managing director and chief executive officer, NSIA, said the authority is committed to playing a leading role in advancing climate solutions that would reduce Nigeria’s carbon emissions.
Orji expressed optimism that the NSIA’s partnership with Vitol would be key to establishing and accelerating carbon reduction and avoidance in Nigeria.
“NSIA expects that the partnership with Vitol will be key to establishing and accelerating carbon reduction and avoidance in Nigeria by providing an enabling platform to trade carbon credits while channeling investments in sustainable projects to deliver emissions reduction results,” he said.
“We are therefore very pleased to be working with Vitol to channel our investments in sustainable projects to deliver emissions reduction results as well as significant socioeconomic outcomes that will be of benefit to Nigerians”, he added.