The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), in partnership with Germany’s development finance institution DEG and Africa Foresight Group, convened a CEO Roundtable to accelerate corporate climate commitments and position Nigerian companies for access to climate-linked capital estimated at $2.5–$3 billion.
The NGX–DEG CEO Roundtable brought together corporate leaders, development finance institutions, and market stakeholders to advance the NGX Net-Zero Programme (N-Zero), a market-led initiative designed to enhance the long-term competitiveness and investability of listed companies.
Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX, stressed that capital markets must lead Africa’s climate response. “The NGX Net-Zero Programme enables companies to move from climate ambition to measurable action,” he said.
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and CEO of NGX, highlighted the growing importance of climate risk in investment decisions. “Global capital is increasingly conditional, with climate risk directly impacting cost of capital and valuation. Companies that embed sustainability into strategy and governance are better positioned to attract long-term capital,” she noted.
Monika Beck, Member of the Management Board of DEG, said partnerships like this allow the scaling of solutions that are both commercially viable and impactful. “Our corporate strategy is centred on mobilising private capital to accelerate climate action while delivering measurable development impact and sustainable returns,” she said.
During the interactive session, Bolaji Balogun, CEO of Chapel Hill Denham, emphasised the importance of execution. “Access to capital, technical expertise, and credible frameworks are essential if climate reporting is to translate into real investor value,” he said. Owen Omogiafo, President and CEO of Transcorp Plc, added that Africa’s climate transition must balance sustainability objectives with economic growth and social impact.
The event concluded with a Closing Gong Ceremony and follows a multi-million-naira co-funding partnership between NGX Group and DEG Impulse gGmbH under Germany’s develoPPP programme. The initiative provides subsidised net-zero transition planning, technical capacity building, and globally recognised frameworks for listed companies.
