Event Information
As the challenges posed by climate change continue to threaten sustainable development in West Africa, countries within the region have made strong commitments to climate action through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) under the Paris Agreement. However, climate finance flows to the region remain significantly below the level required to meet these commitments.
Several systemic challenges contribute to this financing gap. First, fiscal and policy frameworks in many countries remain insufficiently aligned with climate objectives. Budgeting processes, tax systems, and public expenditure planning often do not adequately incorporate climate priorities. Second, mechanisms to mobilize private-sector investment in climate-related sectors remain limited due to high investment risks, regulatory constraints, and the limited availability of suitable financial instruments. Third, grassroots actors - including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women-led enterprises, and local governments - often face structural barriers to accessing climate finance due to institutional and financial constraints
To address these challenges, the Innovative Climate Finance for Unlocking Development and Equity in Africa (INCLUDE-Africa) project has been developed. The project seeks to examine, strengthen, and support fiscal, financial, and policy frameworks that can enhance the mobilization of climate finance and promote inclusive, low-carbon, and climate-resilient development.
The project will be implemented over 36 months in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. It adopts a multidisciplinary, action-oriented approach that combines economic analysis, stakeholder engagement, financial innovation, and participatory research to identify practical pathways for scaling climate finance in West Africa.
INCLUDE-Africa is led by the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre (REPRC), Environment for Development Nigeria, University of Nigeria Nsukka, in collaboration with a consortium of regional and international partners, including:
- Environment for Development Global Hub, University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
- Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF)
- Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN)
- African Energy Transition Services (AETS)
- Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana
- Federal Ministry of Environment (Nigeria) – Forestry Department and REDD+ Secretariat
As the first major activity of the project, an Inception Workshop will be organized to formally launch the initiative, engage key stakeholders, and establish a shared understanding of the project objectives, research approach, and implementation strategy
Expected participants
The workshop will bring together a broad range of stakeholders involved in climate finance and climate policy. Participants are expected to include:
- Representatives from Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Environment, Agriculture and Food Security, Women Affairs, Labour and Employment and agencies, including the National Council on Climate Change, and representatives from State Ministries and Agencies.
- Development finance institutions and the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Commercial banks and private sector investors
- Civil society organizations and NGOs
- Representatives from Consortium Members
- Research and academic institutions
- Regional organizations and development partners
- Women’s organizations and youth networks involved in climate action
Expected outcomes
The inception workshop is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Enhanced awareness and understanding of the INCLUDE-Africa project among key stakeholders.
- Validation of the project research design and implementation approach based on stakeholder feedback.
- Identification of priority areas and policy challenges related to climate finance mobilization and access in the participating countries.
- Strengthened partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders involved in climate finance and sustainable development.
- Increased stakeholder ownership and commitment to support project implementation and policy uptake.