The Niger State Government is taking steps to attract international climate finance and develop carbon-market projects that could bring new investment into the state.
As part of the initiative, experts from Myclimate are expected to visit Niger State from August 23 to 28, 2026, for a technical assessment of potential carbon projects across the state.
The visit is expected to focus on identifying projects capable of generating carbon credits and attracting funding from international climate-finance institutions and investors.
Malam Aliyu Umar, Project Coordinator of the Niger State Carbon Market Project, said the exercise would also examine the regulatory requirements for projects operating under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.
Article 6.4 provides an international framework for cooperation on carbon-market activities, allowing countries to develop mechanisms for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions while supporting sustainable development.
Umar said the planned assessment followed discussions involving the Niger State Government, Myclimate and ICA Finance during the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) session in Bonn, Germany.
The visiting experts are expected to inspect several potential project sites across Niger State.
Among the locations to be assessed are at least three major waste-disposal sites, where experts will examine opportunities for landfill and alternative waste-management projects capable of generating carbon credits.
The team will also visit farming and fishing communities that lack solar photovoltaic mini-grids or have inadequate coverage.
Rice-producing areas will equally be assessed to determine whether agricultural activities could support viable carbon projects and attract climate-related investment.
Three public schools are also expected to be visited, particularly their kitchens and cooking facilities, to identify possible emissions-reduction opportunities.
According to Umar, the field assessments will help establish baseline information needed to determine the technical and financial viability of the proposed projects.
The exercise will also involve discussions with relevant Federal Government institutions, including the National Council on Climate Change and offices responsible for climate change and climate finance.
The delegation is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on August 23, followed by meetings with federal climate institutions on August 24. The team will then proceed to Niger State for project-site assessments.
Stakeholder engagements are expected to take place on August 25, with further field visits scheduled for August 26. The mission is expected to conclude on August 27 with a briefing involving state government officials and the visiting experts.
Umar said the exercise should produce an assessment report identifying priority carbon-market projects with the potential to attract international climate finance and private investment.
The report is also expected to assess Niger State’s readiness to implement high-integrity carbon projects in line with applicable international standards.
The state government is expected to assist by providing access to relevant locations and stakeholders so the experts can gather the baseline information required for project development.
The initiative is part of Niger State’s broader effort to position itself to benefit from emerging international carbon markets and climate-finance opportunities linked to the Paris Agreement.
Nigeria has also been developing its wider carbon-market framework, with ongoing efforts to establish climate-finance structures and strengthen the regulatory environment for carbon-credit projects.
