Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to advancing sustainable growth through innovation and investment in resilience as it prepares to host the 2025 International Climate Change Summit.
The 2025 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, attracting global leaders, investors, climate scientists, and policymakers.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, quoted the Governor as saying that Lagos continues to demonstrate leadership in subnational climate action and is developing practical mechanisms for city-level climate finance.
The Governor noted that Lagos has been pioneering blue bonds and nature-based coastal protection projects that are shaping Africa’s next decade of sustainable urban development.
“As Africa’s fastest-growing coastal city, Lagos stands at the frontline of both climate risk and innovation. Our goal is to unlock sustainable financing that protects our people, builds resilience, and drives economic growth through the power of the blue economy,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Setting the tone for the conference, Commissioner Wahab stated, “The Lagos International Climate Change Summit 2025 is more than a conference; it is a declaration that African cities can finance their own future. 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 serve as a platform to accelerate action and investment in Africa’s coastal and ocean economies ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
The 11th edition of the Summit will provide a strategic engagement platform for African and global stakeholders to align priorities, deepen partnerships, and strengthen Africa’s voice in global climate negotiations.
It will also spotlight blue economy financing as a key frontier for climate adaptation, innovation, and job creation in Africa. Discussions will center on unlocking investment for ocean energy, sustainable fisheries, mangrove restoration, and coastal infrastructure through green and blended finance instruments.
The Summit will highlight ongoing and pipeline projects supporting coastal resilience, environmental innovation, and sustainable livelihoods in Lagos.
Delegates expected at the event include representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, and Eko Atlantic.