The Federal Government has launched the National Cleantech Innovation Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE), marking a significant step towards fostering innovation and supporting startups and SMEs in Nigeria. The launch event in Abuja was organized by the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Nigeria, a UNIDO-led initiative sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted the transformative potential of the CIEE, stating that it demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting SMEs offering innovative cleantech solutions, driving economic development, enhancing renewable energy access, and contributing to climate change actions. He acknowledged challenges such as insufficient policy and regulatory support, limited financing opportunities, and a weak innovation ecosystem.
The GCIP’s three-pillar framework includes transforming early-stage cleantech solutions into scalable enterprises, strengthening the cleantech innovation ecosystem, and ensuring effective project coordination. The initial phase provided technical assistance and conducted three cycles of the GCIP Nigeria Accelerator. The focus now shifts to Component 2, led by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST) with UNIDO support, aiming to build and interconnect institutional capacity, develop policies, promote collaborations, and ensure gender and youth inclusion.
Dr. Uchenna Chukwu, Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), emphasized the importance of innovative entrepreneurship for technology commercialization, wealth creation, and global competitiveness. He highlighted NBTI’s role in providing entrepreneurs with essential facilities and support services through technology incubation centers.
UNIDO’s national program coordinator for environment and energy, Mr. Oluyomi Banjo, stressed the necessity of cleantech in Nigeria and the role of CIEE in creating a thriving environment for such enterprises, noting the success of Nigerian SMEs in winning global awards. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology for their dedication to improving cleantech in Nigeria and reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
The CIEE aims to enhance knowledge creation, build capacity, develop an innovation strategy aligned with Nigeria’s climate goals, and establish a cleantech delivery framework, ultimately fostering a national forum for networking and sharing lessons learned.
