Abuja Nigeria – The United Kingdom (UK) has announced its commitment to support Nigeria’s climate action efforts by providing a concessional aid of £10 million. The aid aims to bolster off-grid clean energy infrastructure in the country, benefiting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria and UK Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made this announcement during a recent interview at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.
Montgomery emphasized the UK’s strong commitment to addressing climate change and its longstanding interest in Nigeria’s environmental challenges. King Charles III, who is known for his passion for climate change and the environment, has closely followed Nigeria’s climate and environmental issues for decades.
The UK has undergone a significant transformation in its approach to climate change, with a greener public debate and a more environmentally conscious population compared to just a decade ago. Montgomery highlighted the UK’s role in this shift, particularly through its presidency of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
The pledged £10 million aid will be directed towards specific projects and companies working on off-grid clean energy solutions. The first project, spearheaded by DARWAY Coast, is set to launch in August 2023. This initiative aims to provide off-grid energy to 1,000 people, demonstrating the commercial viability of such solutions.
Montgomery also highlighted Kenya’s success in developing off-grid energy solutions for small communities, positioning the country ahead of Nigeria in this aspect. However, he expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential for significant growth in green energy, including off-grid solutions.
While off-grid energy solutions are crucial, Montgomery acknowledged that they alone cannot address Nigeria’s larger energy challenges. The envoy emphasized the importance of broader power sector reforms and infrastructure investment to meet the energy needs of megacities and industries.
To achieve substantial progress and surpass Kenya’s achievements, Montgomery stressed the necessity of energy sector reforms and increased private investment. He highlighted the need for effective public-private partnerships to enable independent power producers to thrive and contribute to the country’s energy sector.
Montgomery applauded the Nigerian government’s efforts in implementing economic reforms and encouraged continued reform in the power sector. He believed that these reforms, combined with a more attractive foreign exchange regime, would attract additional investment, including into the energy sector.
As the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Montgomery succeeds Ms. Catriona Laing, who completed her four-year term in Abuja. With his experience and understanding of Nigeria, Montgomery aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas, including climate action and energy sector development.
