By Emamuzo Iboma
Nigeria has expressed its commitment to hosting the Africa Infrastructure and Climate Change Investment Summit (AICIS), scheduled to take place from August 11 to 14, 2025.
The Nigerian government emphasized that as the world accelerates efforts to address the dual challenges of climate change and infrastructure deficits, Africa—including Nigeria—must not remain a passive recipient of externally driven solutions but become an active architect of its own sustainable development.
This commitment was made known on Monday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Represented at a press briefing by the Permanent Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to host the summit at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
He commended Africa Business Venture and Investment Group (ABVIG) for partnering with ministries and stakeholders to drive Nigeria’s leadership in addressing climate change challenges across the continent. He noted that the government supports the initiative and urged all stakeholders to remain resolute in the shared goal of building a prosperous, climate-resilient Africa anchored on inclusive infrastructure.
Akume said the upcoming summit is timely and will provide a continental platform to articulate, align, and activate collaborative strategies for resilient infrastructure and climate action across Africa. He noted that President Tinubu’s administration, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizes strategic infrastructure development, energy transition, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth—priorities that align closely with the goals of the summit.
He described the engagement as a call to action for governments, the private sector, development partners, and the diplomatic community to align efforts, pool resources, and harmonize policies to reassert Africa’s voice in the global climate conversation. He stressed the importance of ensuring Africa’s unique challenges and advantages are represented in shaping global solutions.
Chairman of the AICIS Planning Committee, Mr. Moses Owharo, praised Nigeria’s leadership in addressing climate change issues across Africa. He explained that preparations for AICIS 2025 are being coordinated by ABVIG in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Ministry of Environment.
Owharo described AICIS 2025 as a landmark event that underscores Africa’s unified resolve to combat climate change through resilient infrastructure and strategic investment. He said the summit will serve as a continental platform to advance Africa’s sustainable development vision using climate-smart solutions.
He added that the gathering will bring together governments, development finance institutions, private investors, technical experts, civil society, the UN system, and the diplomatic corps to forge actionable partnerships focused on infrastructure transformation and climate adaptation.
Owharo noted that the summit also aligns with the vision articulated by President Bola Tinubu at COP28, where he stressed the importance of Africa not only participating in global climate discussions but also leading with urgency, innovation, and collaboration.
He emphasized that strategic investment in green infrastructure is critical to achieving inclusive growth and long-term climate security. He credited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, for championing Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to attract climate finance and foster multilateral alignment with national development goals.
Owharo said AICIS 2025 builds on ongoing engagements, including the 2024 International Symposium on Leveraging Green Financing in Abuja, as well as strategic dialogues held in Washington D.C. and across West Africa.
