The European Union (EU), has launched two new projects worth €9m in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The EU disclosed this in Abuja, on Tuesday, during the project inception workshop organised in partnership with the Federal Government and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, said the projects, Small Hydro Power Development for Agro-industry Use in Nigeria and Advancing Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices, were in continuation of its commitment to supporting the Federal Government in providing clean, affordable and sustainable energy for all,
Isopi further said the projects aim to enhance energy accessibility and promote circular economy practices to address pollution and climate change.
While the SHP-DAIN is a three-year project with a budget of €5 million, Advancing Nigeria’s Green Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices is also a three-year project with a budget of €4m The United Nations Industrial Development Organization will implement both projects”, EU noted.
Both projects are part of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, a transformative initiative to enhance connectivity, foster economic growth, and promote sustainability through collaboration.
These projects push Nigeria closer to its earnest aspiration to transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future, especially de-carbonizing its economy and working towards achieving a transition to net zero emissions by 2060.
Isopi explained that the SHP-DAIN project would increase the capacity of small hydropower in Nigeria’s total energy mix to promote productivity along the agricultural value chains and other businesses, enhance livelihoods, and promote food security and decent work.
According to her, the Advancing Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices project is aimed at improving the management of used off-grid energy equipment and plastics through circular economy practices for mitigation of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Isopi further explained that the new initiative would support the strengthening of policy and regulatory framework on promoting circular economy principles and practices, and management of used energy equipment, and the related implementation capacity, while supporting the strengthening of enabling institutions at the Federal and State levels.
Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, expressed confidence that the projects would not only enhance the management of used off-grid energy equipment and plastics, but also increase agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods.
He further inaugurated Project Steering Committees to ensure the success of the projects.
