“As the world intensifies action to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and infrastructure gaps, Africa must be positioned not as a passive recipient of solutions but as an active architect of its own sustainable development”.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume stated this on Monday, at the Stakeholders’ Engagement/Global press briefing on the 2025 Bi/Multilateral Africa Infrastructure and Climate Change Summit (AICIS) held in Abuja.
Akume commended the Africa Business Ventures and Investment Group (ABVIG) for collaborating with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, and other stakeholders for the bold and visionary initiative.
He said as the world intensifies action to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and infrastructure gaps, Africa must be positioned not as a passive recipient of solutions but as an active architect of its own sustainable development.
He added that the forthcoming Summit was therefore not only timely but provide a continental platform to articulate, align, and activate collaborative strategies for resilient infrastructure and climate action across the continent.
According to the SGF, the President Bola Tinubu administration, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, had prioritized strategic infrastructure development, energy transition, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
“These priorities align with the goals of this summit and underscore Nigeria’s readiness to lead and collaborate on multi-stakeholder approaches toward climate resilience and development financing.
“Today’s engagement is a clarion call to governments, the private sector, development partners, and the diplomatic community to align efforts, pool resources, and harmonize policies. It is also an opportunity to reassert Africa’s voice and agency in the global climate discourse, ensuring that our peculiar challenges and comparative advantages are well represented in shaping global solutions”, he said.
Speaking further, Akume stated that he was glad to note the strong emphasis on gender inclusion, as seen in the active involvement of the Ministry of Women Affairs. “No transformative agenda can be achieved without empowering women and integrating their voices into development and climate solutions. Let me reiterate the Federal Government’s support for this Summit and encourage all stakeholders to remain steadfast in the shared mission to build a prosperous, climate-resilient Africa anchored on inclusive infrastructure.
“I look forward to the outcomes of this engagement and the Summit itself, with the confidence that they will contribute significantly to the continent’s development trajectory and global standing”, he said.
On his part, the Chairman, Planning Committee, AICIS, Hon. Moses Owharo
alluded that the summit affirms Africa’s unified determination to address climate change through resilient infrastructure and strategic investment.
Owharo disclosed that the AICIS 2025, scheduled to hold in Abuja from August 11th to 14th represents a continental platform for driving Africa’s sustainable development vision through climate smart solutions.
“This event will unite governments, development finance institutions, private investors, technical experts, and civil society, the UN system and the diplomatic community to forge actionable partnerships around Africa’s infrastructure transformation and climate adaptation imperatives”, he said.
The Chairman further stated that the gathering was also an opportunity to echo the vision articulated by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at COP28 that Africa must not only participate in global climate discourse, but also lead with urgency, innovation, and collaboration.
He quoted President Tinubu as saying as saying, “Strategic investment in green infrastructure is the catalyst for inclusive growth and long-term climate security.”
According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, continues to champion Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to attract climate finance and foster multilateral alignment with our development goals.
He also appreciated the unwavering support of Senator George Akume, the federal ministries of Environment and Women Affairs who continue to anchor climate justice and gender equity as national priorities.
“Let me affirm that AICIS 2025 is not a one off event, but the culmination of sustained engagements including the 2024 International Symposium on Leveraging Green Financing in Abuja, and our strategic dialogues in Washington D.C. and across West Africa. It is in this spirit of continuity and impact that we deepen our cooperation today.
“In closing, I invite you all government officials, development institutions, diplomats, civil society, and the media to partner with us in making AICIS 2025 a defining milestone for Africa’s climate and infrastructure future. Together, we will transition from ambition to action from rhetoric to resilience”, he concluded.
