Good news as federal government meets investors in Lagos on the issuance of sovereign green bonds
Nigeria’s aspiration to become a green economy inches closer as the federal government meet investors and Capital Markets operators in Lagos for the first ever Green Bonds Conference. Themed “Green Bonds: Investing in Nigeria’s Sustainable Development.”
The Conference which is organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Finance and Debt Management Office will take place on Thursday, the 23rd of February 2016 at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos.
The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is expected to deliver a keynote presentation at the conference.
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According to a press release obtained by Legit.ng, the Conference Agenda is expected to have Panel Discussions, an exhibition and presentation of the identified projects in Energy, Agriculture, Transport (FCT) and Environment with international investors and business leaders expected to lead at the event.
Part of the release read: “The Sovereign Green Bonds project is part of a strategic process by the Federal Government to add to the nation’s funding options to catalyse the rebound of our economy and offer the vast majority of Nigerians, a new alternative.
“The Green bonds issuance will be the first stage in enabling Nigerian tap into the growing global market for green bonds, which as of end of 2016 comprised of $576bn of unlabeled climate-aligned bonds and $118bn of labeled green bonds according to Climate Bonds Initiative in London.
"A sovereign green bond represents a new stage in development of Nigerian capital markets and opens the way for further corporate issuance and international investment.
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“The NSE is playing a key role to help develop this enormous opportunity for Nigeria and fulfill one of our key objectives as a member of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative,” says Oscar N. Onyema, CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange.”
According to reports, Nigeria’s first green bond issuance will be the first ever Sovereign issuance in an emerging market.
The Conference is said to present a huge opportunity to discuss next step in the diversification of our economy and it will bring together institutional investors, banking finance and young social entrepreneurs that will ensure this initial bond launch is a success enabling the development of a green bond market while building our national climate finance capabilities.
Sponsors and supporters for Thursday’s event include the Nigerian Stock Exchange, CITI Bank, Chapel Hill Denham and Climate Bonds while the World Bank, DFID and EY are also playing active roles.
The Governors of Lagos and Ogun states, H.E Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Ogun State, H.E Ibikunle Amosun will also attend as special guests.
Source: Legit.ng
