Tech
SMEDAN Launches SCGED to Support Entrepreneurs Tackling Climate Crisis
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has taken a significant step in the fight against the climate crisis by introducing the SMEDAN Climate and Green Energy Desk (SCGED).
This ambitious initiative, introduced by the agency’s newly-appointed Director General, Mr. Charles Odii, aims to empower and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) actively engaged in the development of clean energy solutions and other climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated, as the climate crisis increasingly affects important sectors of Nigeria’s economy, most notably agriculture and sustainable power generation.
A 2022 study conducted by the Centre for Climate Change and Development at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi State raised a red flag, stating that Nigeria is already losing N100 billion to the effects of climate change and would lose as much as N460 billion by 2050 unless decisive action is taken.
The nation is already grappling with extreme weather events such as flooding, desertification, and erratic rainfall patterns which disproportionately affect small businesses in underserved communities.
SCGED is set to play a pivotal role by fostering entrepreneurial innovations that address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. It will conduct thorough research and development to identify the specific obstacles encountered by SMEs in the climate entrepreneurship sector.
Additionally, it will establish a comprehensive database of SMEs operating in this field and provide them with training and capacity-building programs to enhance their skills and knowledge.
One of the cornerstones of SCEID is to offer funding support, helping SMEs tackling the climate crisis leverage both local and global funding opportunities. The initiative also plans to establish partnerships with global organizations to foster collaboration in delivering innovative solutions for environmental sustainability.
Mr. Charles Odii, Director General of SMEDAN, said the SCEID initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to equipping Nigerian SMEs with the funding, skills and networks that channel local innovations to solve problems within Nigeria and for the world.
Inga Stefanowicz, the Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, who graced the event, lauded the initiative. She highlighted its alignment with the EU’s core priorities, particularly addressing climate challenges related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and economic diversification aimed at generating employment opportunities.
Mr. Bitrus Lawrence Garki, the FCT Mandate Secretary, also attended the event and emphasized the government’s eagerness to collaborate with the Climate Change Desk. He expressed the government’s commitment to working with the desk to deliver sustainable solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in areas crucial for fostering a business-friendly environment.
Dr. Olawale Anifowose, the Managing Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Network in Nigeria, further underscored the event’s significance. He stressed the paramount importance of harnessing innovation in the green economy, recognizing it as a key driver for unlocking new growth opportunities in the country.
According to SMEDAN, climate entrepreneurs will play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future for the country as well as ignite fresh waves of economic growth through the creation of groundbreaking solutions in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable farming, waste management and recycling, robotics, and transportation among others.
The initiative aligns with global efforts to address the pressing climate challenges that threaten our planet.
The agency has urged climate entrepreneurs and SMEs to take advantage of this opportunity by registering for support on its dedicated website — www.smedan.gov.ng/SCGED
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