The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), in partnership with Germany’s development finance institution DEG and Africa Foresight Group, has intensified efforts to mobilise between $2.5 billion and $3.0 billion in climate-linked capital for Nigerian companies, as global investors increasingly tie funding decisions to sustainability performance.
The renewed push took centre stage at an NGX–DEG CEO Roundtable held at the NGX head office in Lagos on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The high-level forum brought together chief executives, development finance institutions, and capital-market stakeholders to accelerate corporate climate commitments under the NGX Net-Zero Programme (N-Zero). The event concluded with a ceremonial Closing Gong, underscoring the Exchange’s commitment to embedding climate considerations into capital-market operations.
As sustainability metrics become central to capital allocation, NGX Group and its partners stressed that the challenge for Nigerian corporates is no longer whether to act on climate risk, but how quickly ambition can be translated into execution. According to discussions at the roundtable, companies that demonstrate credible transition strategies could unlock up to $3.0 billion in blended finance, green funding, and sustainability-linked investments over the medium term.
Understanding Net-Zero Climate Capital
Net-Zero Climate Capital refers to funding directed at projects and businesses that help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to net-zero levels by balancing emissions produced with emissions reduced or removed. According to NGX Group, such capital supports clean energy deployment, energy-efficiency improvements, climate-smart agriculture, low-carbon manufacturing, and carbon-removal technologies—while still generating competitive financial returns. The objective is to fight climate change without stalling economic growth, enabling companies to expand using cleaner and more resilient technologies.
Capital markets as climate catalysts
Opening the session, the Group Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, said Africa’s climate response must be anchored in its capital markets to be credible and scalable. He noted that the NGX Net-Zero Programme is designed to move companies from climate ambition to measurable action, adding that transparency and credible transition plans have become prerequisites for competitiveness in global markets.
Climate risk becomes a valuation issue
Presenting the investment case, NGX Group’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Temi Popoola, said climate risk has evolved from a reputational concern into a core financial consideration. According to him, global capital is increasingly conditional, with sustainability performance directly influencing the cost of capital and corporate valuation. Companies that integrate climate considerations into governance and strategy, he said, are better positioned to attract long-term investors.
Development finance backs private capital mobilisation
DEG’s support for the initiative was reinforced by Monika Beck, a member of DEG’s Management Board. She said the partnership reflects DEG’s strategy of mobilising private capital to accelerate climate action while delivering measurable development impact. By working with NGX Group, DEG aims to scale solutions that are both commercially viable and environmentally impactful.
Execution over intent
Panellists and participants consistently highlighted execution as the critical bottleneck. The Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun, noted that climate disclosures must translate into tangible investor value through access to capital, technical expertise, and credible frameworks. Similarly, the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, Owen Omogiafo, emphasised the need for a practical and inclusive transition that balances sustainability objectives with economic growth and social impact.
Backed by funding and technical support
The roundtable builds on a multi-million-naira co-funding partnership between NGX Group and DEG Impulse gGmbH under Germany’s develoPPP programme. The collaboration provides subsidised net-zero transition planning, technical capacity building, and access to globally recognised disclosure and transition frameworks for listed companies.
Overall, the initiative positions Nigeria’s capital market as a key conduit for climate finance, aligning corporate growth with global net-zero goals while protecting jobs, attracting long-term investment, and strengthening environmental sustainability.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
