Netherlands partners Nigeria to accelerate green, digital economy, EU channels 200m Euros to project

In achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, the Vice minister for Foreign trade of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Hanneke Schuiling has assured the Nigerian government of support to transition to a green economy. She said this during her address at the Netherlands Nigeria Clean tech Event, Organised by Commercium Africa in conjunction with Netherlands and the Nigerian government in Abuja. Hanneke also stressed on the need for a circular economy in which raw materials can be used and reused more effectively rather than consumption, which offers room for innovation and opportunities for new business ideas, skilled jobs and improved quality of life. 

She said, “Dutch companies in Nigeria are also involved in the horticulture sector, which presents a range of opportunities and challenges. The world’s population is growing rapidly and is expected to rise to 9billion people by 2050. We are facing a great challenge, we must step up our efforts to produce nutritious food for everyone while restoring nature and biodiversity. The Netherlands strongly believes that a transition to a circular economy is part of the solution, an economy in which materials are recycled offers room for innovation, business opportunities, skilled jobs and an improved quality of life. Also a circular economy is essential for the energy transition which needs a lot of materials and minerals such as lithium and cobalt” she said.

Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, while appreciating Nigeria for its consistent efforts towards climate change issues , reassured the continuity of the European government to work together concerning climate matters. Isopi added that about 200 million Euros will be channelled to Project in green and digital economy including circular economy, climate smart agriculture, renewable energy and also innovative financing of infrastructure project and value chains. “The project alongside the Nigerian government efforts will only make contributions to the country’s Net-Zero target by 2060 and raise the NDC from 45% to 47%” she said. Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Eniola Ajayi, in her remarks, appreciated the efforts of the Netherlands support to the Nigerian government in it’s ambition to diversify and transition into green economy in other to achieve Nigeria NetZero emission obligations by the year 2060. 

Also speaking, Managing Director Commercium Africa, Thessa Bagu while describing the Cleantech said that it is an event that showcase international companies that are investing, adding that it is not only to advance a green economy but also about business deals and partnerships that would benefit Nigerians and the Netherlands together.