Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s focus on developing the blue economy as a key driver of wealth creation and sustainable growth.
He said Lagos would continue to lead subnational climate action through innovation, sustainable financing, and investment in resilience, ahead of the 2025 International Climate Change Summit to be hosted by the state.
The summit, themed “Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation,” will take place from November 6 to 7, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel. It is expected to attract global leaders, investors, scientists, and policymakers.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the governor said Lagos remains at the forefront of creating mechanisms for city-level climate finance and the sustainable use of ocean resources.
Sanwo-Olu explained that Lagos was already advancing blue bonds, coastal protection projects, and nature-based solutions to address climate change and position the city as a model for urban resilience in Africa.
“As Africa’s fastest-growing coastal city, Lagos stands at the frontline of both climate risk and innovation. Our aim is to unlock sustainable financing that protects our people, builds resilience, and drives economic growth through the power of the blue economy,” he said.
Wahab noted that the forthcoming summit would move beyond policy discussions to highlight tangible models for financing climate adaptation and innovation. He said Lagos seeks to demonstrate that African cities can design and fund their own sustainable futures.
He added that the event would accelerate investment in Africa’s coastal and ocean economies ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Now in its 11th edition, the Lagos International Climate Change Summit will serve as a platform for regional collaboration, strengthening Africa’s position in global climate negotiations.
The summit will also focus on blue economy financing as a frontier for innovation, adaptation, and job creation, targeting investments in ocean energy, sustainable fisheries, mangrove restoration, and coastal infrastructure.
