The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has taken a significant step in the fight against the climate crisis by introducing its Climate and Green Energy Desk. This initiative, spearheaded by the newly-appointed Director General, Mr. Charles Odii, is designed to support and empower SMEs involved in developing clean energy solutions and climate change strategies.
Odii emphasized the urgency of this initiative in light of the increasing impact of climate change on vital sectors of Nigeria’s economy, especially agriculture and sustainable power generation. He stated that the program reflects SMEDAN’s dedication to providing SMEs with the necessary resources, skills, and networks to harness local innovations for solving both local and global challenges.
The climate crisis is already affecting Nigeria, with events like flooding, desertification, and erratic rainfall patterns disproportionately impacting small businesses in underserved communities. The new initiative, known as SCGED (Climate and Green Energy Desk), aims to drive entrepreneurial innovations that tackle these pressing challenges. It will conduct thorough research to identify specific obstacles faced by SMEs in the climate entrepreneurship sector.
Furthermore, SCGED will establish a comprehensive database of SMEs operating in this field and offer them training and capacity-building programs to enhance their skills and knowledge. Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the EU’s core priorities, particularly in addressing climate challenges related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and economic diversification.
SMEDAN encourages climate entrepreneurs and SMEs to seize this opportunity by registering for support through its website.
