Abuja: The Niger government has called for stronger global commitment and coordinated action to address the escalating climate challenges threatening economies and communities across the world. Mr. Yakubu Garba, the deputy governor of the state, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Garba emphasized that climate action in Niger is not only a local necessity but also a critical contribution to Africa’s global climate commitments. He highlighted the importance of investing in Niger as it means investing in the resilience of over six million people, ensuring food security, and protecting critical ecosystems essential for Nigeria’s environmental balance.
Garba described Niger as a land endowed with rich natural resources, fertile agricultural landscapes, and a population determined to build a sustainable and climate-smart future. He emphasized the state’s Green Sustainable Agenda, noting that climate actions are integrated across various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, energy, water resources, waste management, and sustainable livelihoods.
The deputy governor stated that the roadmap aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Africa’s broader call for equitable climate finance and fair partnerships. Despite Niger’s proactive approach, financial constraints have limited the scale of efforts in implementing renewable energy initiatives, afforestation programs, climate-smart agriculture, and youth-led waste-to-wealth enterprises.
Garba urged development partners, climate funds, and private investors to collaborate with Niger in mobilizing climate finance through concessional funding, carbon market access, and blended financing mechanisms. He further emphasized the importance of technology transfer and innovation in driving low-carbon development, adding that youth participation is central to the state’s green transformation.
Garba called for collaboration with research institutions, development partners, and climate investors to promote clean energy, digital climate information systems, and modern agricultural technologies. He highlighted that equipping young people with the right tools, training, and technology can create jobs, foster green entrepreneurship, and sustain climate-smart value chains.
Niger is seeking partnerships to establish green innovation hubs, renewable energy clusters, and digital monitoring systems for effective climate action tracking. Garba cited the direct impacts of climate change on local communities, including unpredictable rainfall, floods, droughts, desert encroachment, and declining crop yields.
Niger has initiated community-based adaptation programs that integrate indigenous knowledge with modern scientific solutions, such as land restoration projects, irrigation support, and early-warning systems for farmers.