The Lagos Green Economy Forum has brought together large corporations and Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to share ideas and strategies for embedding sustainability into their business operations and supply chains.
At the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, speaking through Dr. Tunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), emphasised the central role of SMEs in advancing the state’s green ambitions. He noted that Lagos is home to over 8,000 SMEs, and ensuring they embrace sustainability is vital to inclusive growth.
“The engine of Lagos’ economy is the SME sector. We are creating access to finance to help them transition from fossil fuels to green electricity through solar panels and other clean energy solutions,” Ajayi said. “Support also comes through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and the Ministry of Wealth Creation, which help provide financing and equipment to fast-track SME growth.”
He added that the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation is also enabling women in business to achieve financial independence—further driving sustainable livelihoods.
Forum convener Korede Oluwola highlighted the broader vision of the Lagos Green Economy Forum: to create a platform where corporations, SME groups, financial institutions, and government actors could design a roadmap and financing models that will motivate climate action across Nigeria’s SME landscape.
“No large corporation can function effectively without SMEs in its value chain,” Oluwola noted. “Some corporations are already integrating sustainability across their supply chains in line with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria’s mandate for environmental impact reporting by 2030.”
He stressed the importance of education and awareness in this transition, stating that the forum marks the beginning of a longer journey, with follow-up activities like workshops, webinars, and capacity-building sessions planned to support SMEs throughout the year.
A notable highlight of the event was the launch of Green Track, a digital tool designed to guide SMEs in their journey toward sustainability by offering practical resources and tailored recommendations.
The forum also featured an engaging panel discussion on SME sustainability efforts, featuring industry leaders such as Lovely Okoye (Sustainability Manager, 7UP Bottling Company Plc), Temilade Olabanji (Senior Manager, Sustainability and Shared Value, MTN Nigeria), Juliet Ezeani (Senior Business Advisor, TechnoServe), Titilope Oguntuga (Director of Sustainability, HIS Nigeria), and Gloria Okoria (United Nations).
The discussion explored the progress, challenges, and support systems required for SMEs to align with green economy goals—reinforcing that sustainable business is not just a trend but a necessity for long-term growth and resilience.
