Experts have renewed calls for increased investment in the green economy, stressing that scaling climate finance and adopting frontier technologies are critical to building economic resilience and protecting vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a webinar hosted by Unity Bank Plc to commemorate Earth Day, themed The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays? The session brought together climate innovation stakeholders who examined the uneven burden of climate change and the urgent need for inclusive, scalable solutions.
Speaking during the session, the Chief Executive Officer of Instollar, Ms Chinwe Udo-Davis, highlighted the widening inequality in climate impact. “The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed,” she said. “Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Also contributing, the Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Oluwatosin Ajide, emphasised that climate change must be addressed through coordinated and systemic interventions. According to him, fragmented efforts will not deliver the required impact.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive,” Ajide stated.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Mr Ibukun Coker, underscored the growing urgency for institutions to integrate sustainability into their operations and financing models.
“Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies,” he said. “At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar provided a platform for stakeholders to interrogate the human, economic and institutional costs of climate change, while also identifying actionable pathways for mitigation and adaptation.
Discussions also explored opportunities within climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the importance of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in driving long-term sustainability.
By convening the dialogue, Unity Bank reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused initiatives and supporting responsible growth aligned with environmental stewardship.
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