The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has secured accreditation as a Direct Access Entity with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s ability to mobilise climate finance without relying on intermediaries.
The accreditation, granted on 26 March 2026, allows NSIA to access and deploy GCF resources directly for climate mitigation and adaptation projects across Nigeria.
In a statement, the authority said the move will enable faster and more efficient utilisation of international climate funding, helping to scale up investments in renewable energy, clean infrastructure, and resilience initiatives.
“This accreditation reflects years of institutional alignment with global standards and creates a direct pathway to mobilise capital for climate-focused projects,” said Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSIA.
The development aligns with NSIA’s broader sustainability strategy, which embeds environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its operations. In 2024, the authority published its first sustainability report and began aligning with disclosure standards from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
One of NSIA’s flagship initiatives is the Renewable Investment Platform for Limitless Energy (RIPLE), Nigeria’s first sovereign-led platform aimed at accelerating renewable energy deployment nationwide. RIPLE builds on the successful delivery of a 10-megawatt solar power plant in Kano — currently the country’s largest grid-connected solar facility — and features a pipeline of approximately 250 megawatts of clean energy projects.
These include the rollout of solar and battery systems for healthcare facilities and plans for a solar photovoltaic manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 800 megawatts.
NSIA is also channelling capital through a Distributed Renewable Energy Fund in partnership with organisations such as Sustainable Energy for All, the International Solar Alliance, and Africa50. The fund focuses on expanding electricity access in underserved communities via decentralised solutions.
In addition, the authority is addressing barriers in climate financing through innovative instruments. In 2024, it helped launch the Green Guarantee Company (GGC) in collaboration with the GCF, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, USAID, and Norfund. The platform aims to unlock more than $1 billion in climate investments in emerging markets by providing guarantees for green bonds and loans.
NSIA is further investing in carbon and agriculture-linked projects, including Carbon Vista — developed with Vitol — which promotes clean cooking solutions for rural households.
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The authority’s approach also emphasises inclusion. Through gender-focused investment frameworks, it supports women-led enterprises in sectors such as healthcare, energy, and technology. Its healthcare subsidiary, Medserve, has provided oncology services to thousands of patients nationwide, with women forming the majority of beneficiaries.
“We see climate action and inclusion as linked priorities,” Umar-Sadiq stated. “We structure our investments to expand economic opportunities while addressing climate risks.”
Beyond project financing, NSIA is contributing to national policy efforts, including Nigeria’s carbon market framework approved in 2025, and engaging in global sustainable finance forums.
Officials said the GCF accreditation positions NSIA to play a larger role in shifting from climate commitments to tangible execution, particularly as emerging markets seek to attract scaled-up capital for green growth.
