Lagos State is set to host the 2025 International Climate Change Summit, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable growth through innovation and investment in resilience. The summit, themed “Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation,” will take place on November 6-7 and will attract global leaders, investors, climate scientists, and policymakers.
According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos has demonstrated leadership in subnational climate action and developed practical mechanisms for city-level climate finance. The state has also been developing blue bonds and nature-based coastal protection projects, shaping Africa’s next decade of sustainable urban development. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab emphasized that the summit is a declaration that African cities can finance their own future.
The event aims to accelerate action and investment in Africa’s coastal and ocean economies ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). As the 11th summit in the series, it will serve as a strategic engagement platform for African and global stakeholders to align priorities, deepen partnerships, and strengthen Africa’s voice in global climate negotiations. Discussions will focus on unlocking investment for ocean energy, sustainable fisheries, mangrove restoration, and coastal infrastructure through green and blended finance instruments.
The summit will spotlight blue economy financing as a key frontier for climate adaptation, innovation, and job creation in Africa. Ongoing and pipeline projects supporting coastal resilience, environmental innovation, and sustainable livelihoods in Lagos will also be highlighted. Delegates and participants will include representatives from the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and Eko Atlantic.
The 2025 International Climate Change Summit is expected to play a significant role in shaping Africa’s climate change agenda and promoting sustainable development. With its focus on blue economy financing and coastal resilience, the summit is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the global conversation on climate change. As the world prepares for COP30, the summit’s outcomes are likely to inform and influence global climate negotiations, underscoring the importance of collective action and investment in Africa’s coastal and ocean economies.
