FG inaugurates committee to promote clean energy technology for startups, SMEs

The federal government has inaugurated a project steering committee for the global clean-tech innovation programme (GCIP) in Nigeria, to promote the development of clean energy technologies for sustainable start-ups and small, medium enterprises in Nigeria.

Adeleke Mamora, minister of science, technology and innovation, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

GCIP is a programme designed to respond to the increasing global demand for environmental sustainability, climate action, and to unleash the potential of clean-tech innovation and entrepreneurship to help transform priority sectors and systems.

The members of the committee include: federal ministry of science, technology and innovation which will serve as the chairman of the committee; Co-creation Hub, which will serve as the secretary; Rural Electrification Agency; National Board for Technology Incubation; and the federal ministry of environment. 

Others are; the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN); International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa; federal ministry of industry, trade and investment; Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), amongst others.

Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, Mamora commended the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for piloting the project.

He said the project was coming at a time when the world is driving towards the use of clean energy technologies as part of the solutions for climate change challenges, adding that the steering committee is expected to make contributions through the project for Nigeria’s development.

“Permit me to say that the members of the project steering committee are selected from the pool of experts in the public and private sectors of the economy. Therefore, you are expected to make very important contribution to the development of our dear nation through this laudable project,” he said. 

“I specially commend the efforts of UNIDO for mobilising resources to pilot this project; GEF, for providing the seed financial resources; the department of environmental sciences and technology of FMST, for conceptualising the Nigerian cleantech innovation programme (NC-TIP) that provided the national platform for this partnership with the global cleantech innovation programme (GCIP) being piloted by UNIDO; and of course the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Co-Creation Hub, for providing niche technical services within the project. I am glad to know that Nigeria became the tenth member of GCIP through the efforts of FMSTI and UNIDO.

“It is pertinent to note that the world is currently moving towards use of clean energy technologies and FMSTI, being aware of this, is currently conducting technology needs assessment for climate change mitigation and adaptation in key sectors of the economy.

“There can be no better time to commence this project than now. I, therefore, call on all Nigerians to embrace and support deployment of clean energy innovations and solutions across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

Also speaking at the inauguration, Jean Bankole, regional director, UNIDO Nigeria Regional Hub, said the project would promote “startups and small, medium enterprises in the country to operate and produce in a responsible manner, in such a way that the business ethics are followed and the environment is not jeopardised”.

Bankole, who was represented by Reuben Bamidele, national program officer, UNIDO Nigeria regional office, said the project, which is operational in 15 other countries, would also help Nigeria implement innovative ideas for managing businesses and expanding already existing ones.

“Through this particular approach, many jobs will be created, opportunities and avenues will be  enlarged in the country so that many more will come in,” he added.

On his part, Bosun Tijani, CEO of Co-creation Hub, said the project was important because it would help to create a lasting innovation ecosystem that would provide opportunities for smart people in the society who can build solutions and businesses that can help Nigeria.