Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the State’s unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable development through innovation, resilience, and investment in climate-friendly initiatives as the State prepares to host the 2025 International Climate Change Summit.
The summit, themed “Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation,” will hold at the Lagos Continental Hotel from November 6 to 7, 2025, bringing together global leaders, investors, climate scientists, and policymakers.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Governor noted that Lagos continues to demonstrate leadership in subnational climate action, developing practical frameworks for city-level climate finance and sustainable urban solutions.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the State has been pioneering blue bonds and nature-based coastal protection projects, positioning Lagos as a model for African cities pursuing a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.
“As Africa’s fastest-growing coastal city, Lagos stands at the frontline of both climate risk and innovation,” the Governor stated.
“Our goal is to unlock sustainable financing that protects our people, builds resilience, and drives economic growth through the power of the blue economy.”
The 2025 Lagos International Climate Change Summit, the 11th in the series, will serve as a strategic platform for African and global stakeholders to align priorities, deepen partnerships, and strengthen Africa’s voice in global climate discussions ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
According to Wahab, the summit is not merely a gathering of experts but a movement to reposition African cities as central players in climate finance and innovation.
“The Lagos International Climate Change Summit 2025 is more than a conference; it is a declaration that African cities can finance their own future,”Wahab said.
“We invite global leaders, investors, and innovators to join Lagos as we redefine what coastal resilience looks like for the Global South.”
The event will spotlight blue economy financing as a frontier for climate adaptation, innovation, and job creation across Africa. Key discussions will focus on unlocking investments in ocean energy, sustainable fisheries, mangrove restoration, and coastal infrastructure through green and blended finance instruments.
It will also showcase ongoing and pipeline projects supporting coastal resilience, environmental innovation, and sustainable livelihoods in Lagos.
Expected participants include representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, and Eko Atlantic, alongside international development partners, private investors, and civil society organizations.
With Lagos taking the lead on Africa’s climate finance dialogue, the 2025 summit is expected to accelerate tangible action and mobilize resources for the continent’s coastal and ocean economies.
