This milestone event celebrates the culmination of nine transformative months where young African innovators moved from bold ideas to market-ready, climate-smart solutions.

The greenlabs program is a vital Pan-African initiative committed to nurturing the continent’s next generation of green innovators and entrepreneurial leaders.

Running concurrently in both Nigeria and Kenya, the program underscores a shared, continental commitment to driving green innovation while accelerating Africa’s just transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.

Nine Months of Impact: Where Ideas Become Enterprises

The journey for the Lagos Cohort 1 innovators began with a highly competitive selection process, sifting through applications from passionate young Nigerians determined to pioneer change.

Following an intensive Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge, the most promising ideas advanced further into the incubation phase.

For ten months, these entrepreneurs were immersed in a rigorous curriculum of capacity-building workshops, technical mentorship, knowledge transfer and business coaching.

They didn’t just learn; they piloted plus refined their ideas turning and scaling them into viable ventures with real-world impact.

The graduating cohort is unveiling solutions that are already redefining sustainability in their communities.

Standout enterprises include ventures that are turning organic waste into clean, renewable energy, deploying low-cost solar-powered irrigation systems to boost food security for smallholder farmers, and establishing innovative recycling and upcycling models that generate income while significantly reducing environmental footprints.

Empowering the Pioneers of Africa’s Green Economy

Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, executive director of CADEF, highlighted the program’s fundamental belief in youth empowerment.

“The greenlabs program is proof that sustainability starts with empowerment. This first cohort hasn’t just developed innovative ideas; they’ve created viable, scalable enterprises. They are not merely responding to Africa’s climate challenges, they are building the profitable, long-term solutions our continent desperately needs. This is the future of African enterprise.”

The graduation is a celebration of the innovators’ resilience and CADEF’s robust partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Africa.

Together, they are fostering a growing network of African changemakers equipped to tackle the continent’s most pressing environmental and economic challenges through innovation.

Karen Chelangat, chief innovation officer at Jacob’s Ladder Africa, spoke to the broader vision for the program’s future expansion:

“Our mission is to ensure African youth are the architects of the green economy, not just its beneficiaries. The success of Cohort 1 fuels our commitment to further scale this impact. Cohort 2 will strengthen this movement, building the essential green jobs, green skills, and green enterprises that will drive inclusive and resilient growth across the continent.”

Call for Cohort 2 Applications

Building on this success, CADEF is now opening the call for applications for the greenlabs Incubation Program Cohort 2.

The next phase promises expanded cross-country collaborations, strategic partnerships, and even greater opportunities for aspiring green entrepreneurs to design and deploy sustainable solutions within their communities.

Young Nigerians passionate about sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation are strongly encouraged to apply and join a vibrant ecosystem of change leaders building Africa’s green future.

To learn more and apply for the greenlabs Incubation Program Cohort 2, visit here.

Inflation has gone beyond biting to gnawing through wallets, bank accounts, and goals. Naira is doing what it does best: tumbling on Mondays and dancing by Friday. And the average Nigerian? Well, we’ve mastered the art of survival with vibes, data bundles, and a suspicious relationship with digital investments.

But in the midst of all these, there’s always a hunt for what will actually yield returns. While we wade through another great year, some of us are wondering what the top and smartest trades as well as investment strategies in 2025 are.

Let’s take a look at the numbers in all honesty, with a keen eye on the dynamic ground beneath our feet.

The 2025 Economic Forecast

We’re working with shaky pillars. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nigeria’s GDP growth at 3.2%, a figure that doesn’t keep up with population growth. Inflation sits above 24% — yes, twenty-four — which means that by the time your salary reflects in your account, it’s already lost value in the market.

The exchange rate continues its romantic tango with fluctuations — officially hovering around ₦1,500 to the dollar, but on the black market? Let’s just say some prayers are best whispered.

Meanwhile, the government says subsidies are gone, yet petrol prices are suspiciously tame. CBN’s monetary tightening continues, leaving businesses struggling to access credit, and the average consumer unsure whether to save, spend, or move to Rwanda.

So, with all of these, where are the cracks of opportunity?

Sector Breakdown: What’s Hot, What’s Heating Up

1. Agriculture & Agro-Processing

Forget tech for a minute. With food inflation galloping at over 24%, agriculture is no longer a poor man’s trade — it’s survival’s last stronghold. But it’s no longer about hoe-and-cutlass farming.

The money is in value chains — cassava into starch, maize into ethanol, palm oil into packaged exports. Add a decent warehouse and solar drying facility? You’re in business.

Q4 2024 data: Agriculture contributed 25.59% to GDP. It’s growing — not because we planned it well, but because hunger forced our hands.

Caveat: Security challenges in rural areas make physical farm investment risky. But agritech platforms are springing up, providing lower-risk entry.

2. Tech & Digital Services

The layoffs made headlines, but tech isn’t dying, but morphing. Fintechs are consolidating, and those that survive are now solving problems. Going from offline payment terminals in rural areas to AI-lite customer support tools, this space is bolstering productivity.

And let’s not ignore the digital boom outside Lagos. Kano, Port Harcourt, even Ilorin are birthing developer communities and small hubs.

ICT’s GDP share? A solid 17.68%, and climbing.

Digital infrastructure, healthtech integrations, logistics apps, and SME support tools. If you can build, support, or scale a solution — even on WhatsApp — you’re in.

3. Real Estate: Not Dead, Just Disguised

With rent in major cities hitting absurd highs, short-let spaces and co-living apartments are hot. But the sweet spot isn’t in the Lekki bubble anymore. It’s on the outskirts: Mowe, Ibafo, Apo, Lokogoma — places that offer land at human prices and still touch the urban grid.

But then, the new trend isn’t ‘build and sell’ — it’s ‘build and service’. More investors are offering shared workspaces, student pods, and semi-permanent accommodation.

Just don’t expect overnight ROI — construction costs are high, and cement doesn’t accept prayers as payment.

4. Forex, Crypto & Commodities: Risky, but Addictive

For many, the FX market isn’t an investment but a personality trait. Everyone’s cousin now trades dollars on Telegram. But some are making real profits, particularly in commodities.

Gold, lithium, and soybeans are becoming alternative asset classes — especially with global instability keeping dollar assets unpredictable.

Crypto is back on the radar, with coins like ETH and SOL bouncing again. But thanks to regulations, trading platforms now walk a thin line between innovation and shutdown.

Zooming in:

• The U.S. dollar is still topping the chart, strengthened by monetary policy and economic resilience. Carry trades have surged, as investors borrow in low-yielding currencies — like the Japanese yen — to invest in high-yielding assets such as the Mexican peso or South African rand.
• With inflation dynamics changing and central banks recalibrating their viewpoint, currency pairs like USD/JPY are moving sharply. The Bank of Japan’s cautious tightening has left room for strategic positioning.
• Strategy tip: Watch interest rate differentials and macro indicators to stay ahead of movements.

On the crypto aspect, Bitcoin’s post-halving surge is gathering institutional momentum, helped by the growing impact of spot Bitcoin ETFs. Projects focusing on sustainable mining practices and the emergence of real-world utility tokens are impacting investor behaviour.

• Strategy tip: Track layer-2 innovations like Polygon, and monitor new altcoins tied to physical infrastructure or ESG-linked goals.

5. The Carbon Trade & Green Economy

Nigeria says it wants $2.5 billion from carbon credits by 2030. Most people don’t even know what that means yet — and that’s exactly where the opportunity lies.

With global pressure increasing on climate commitments, carbon farming, green certifications, and renewable energy leasing are rising areas. Early investors could be sitting on tomorrow’s goldmine.

Strategy? Partner with agritech startups offering data-backed green reporting or explore carbon trading cooperatives.

This change is focused on the surge of sustainable finance. Green bonds, ESG-rated stocks, and carbon-neutral corporate policies are changing investor calculations.

• Companies that align with environmental benchmarks are outperforming long term.
• Strategy tip: Look into ESG-screened ETFs or solar energy-linked stocks. The green wave is no longer hype — it’s real capital movement.

The Risk Map: What Could Go Wrong? (Plenty)

We need to understand that Nigeria isn’t investor-friendly unless you’re friends with someone in Abuja. You could wake up to a new policy, a frozen app, or a “compliance” fine nobody saw coming.

• Crypto? Still under tight watch.
• Tech? FIRS and NCC are hunting down platforms they don’t understand.
• Real estate? The land registry remains a maze. Beware of omo-onile and ghost titles.
• Agri? Bandits don’t accept letters of intent.

A rational investor must mix ambition with caution. Risk isn’t the problem — ignorance is.

My Strategy? Simple but Uncompromising

• Diversify — I’m not betting the farm on one trade. Even Jesus fed the people with five loaves, not one.
• Stay liquid — In this country, you may need to run. Figuratively, or literally.
• Learn daily — Markets move, governments lie, and apps crash. Keep updating your lens.
• Invest in people — Skilled collaborators, loyal staff, and trustworthy partners remain priceless.

Conclusively, You’re the Asset. Invest Accordingly.

The Nigerian economy is what it is — unstable, unreliable, but not without opportunity. If you’re looking for perfect conditions, you’re better off daydreaming. But if you want to build, grow, or pivot? Now is the time to act — carefully, but decisively.

2025 won’t hand you anything. You either take calculated risks — or watch others take them while you stay in “research mode.”

So, what’s your next move?

• Nigeria predicted to put on between 60,000 and 240,000 new green jobs by 2030
• Aquaculture and poultry lead job creation, with 69,000 jobs projected

Shortlist and FSD Africa, with analysis from the Boston Consulting Group, today published “Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa,” a first of its kind report that

forecasts the new direct job creation potential of 12 “green” sub-sectors by 2030. The report predicts the creation of up to 3.3 million new direct green jobs across the continent by 2030, with the majority in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar.

The study, the first in-depth analysis of workforce needs within major green value chains over the next five years, provides detailed forecasts for five focus countries, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, which together account for more than a fifth (22%) of new jobs, and in key sectors such as renewable energy, e-mobility, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

“Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa” underscores the critical importance of a skilled workforce as an input accelerating African green industries, emphasizing the need for substantial investment in skills development and workforce mobilization.

Moreover, the millions of jobs created in the green revolution will also contribute to the formalization of African economies, and the inclusion of whole populations in stable systems of remuneration, social security and taxation for the first time.

Based on the findings, the report also outlines key strategies required to cultivate Africa’s green jobs ecosystem: from targeted investments in high-potential sectors and value chains, the fostering of cross-sector collaboration among governments, private sector, educational institutions and investors, to the development of comprehensive support policies for green sectors.

The report also calls for further analysis and granularity to labour demand key value chains to identify Africa’s current skilled labour supply and any potential gaps.

While some experts have suggested that up to 100 million green jobs may be created by 2050, this report takes a more near-term, sober, and realistic look at the job creation potential of just 12 specific sub-sectors or value chains and only until 2030. This more conservative analysis is intended to guide near-term investments and policy decisions among universities, workforce development actors, and government as we ensure the mobilization of the right skills and workforce to meet demand.

Significantly it predicts that 60% of the employment generated by the green economy over the coming six years will be skilled or white collar in nature.

Within this, 10% constitute “advanced jobs” (highly skilled, requiring university degrees to fulfil), whilst a further 30% are projected to be “specialized” (requiring certification or vocational training) and 20% will be administrative in emphasis.

Crucially, these job types tend to attract higher salaries and will, therefore, play a central role in spurring the growth of the middle class in countries hosting these high-growth sectors. Important also is the stability of the unskilled jobs created – which will offer ladders up the employment scale for candidates, whose employability will be enhanced by access to training and experience.

“There is a cross-sector effort across Africa to spur employment and sustainable development,” said Mark Napier, CEO of FSD Africa, “but stakeholders lack a shared, granular understanding of where the green jobs are going to come from. This report offers a methodology for forecasting green jobs which allows us to get practical about where we need to invest to make these jobs happen.”

“This is the first public report that takes seriously the notion that human capital and talent is important as both an input to green economic growth, and as a positive outcome – in the form of millions of new, direct jobs.” says Paul Breloff, CEO of Shortlist. “Now policymakers, and funders, and workforce developers need to step up to meet this near-term demand with effective training, apprenticeships, and job/skill matching, in hopes of achieving Africa’s green promise.”

Other key findings include:

• South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria represent the highest job creation potential (16%) due to population, gross domestic product (GDP) and industry maturity
• The renewable energy sector alone is expected to generate up to 2m jobs (70% of the total) of which 1.7m will be in solar
• Solar is the most important contributor to green jobs in South Africa (140,000 jobs) and Kenya (111,000 jobs)
• Hydroelectric is forecast to be the leading employer in both DRC (16,000 jobs) and Ethiopia (33,000)
• Agriculture and nature are forecast to produce up to 700,000 jobs (25% of total), of which more than half (377,000) will come from climate smart agriculture technology

Click here to download a copy of the report

This will be the high point at the 3rd National Conference being put together by Oriental News Nigeria, coming up on July 25th , 2024, at Radisson Blue GRA Ikeja, Lagos at 9am.

Oriental News Nigeria a leading digital media platform would gather key policy makers, Government and non Governmental Organisations, industry experts in Nigeria’s financial sector to the conference which revolves around Nigeria’s Green Economy Initiative.

The theme of the 2024 Conference: ” Green Economy, Sustainable Growth and Infrastructure Transformation” considers various options available for Nigeria to sustain economic development and growth.

Sub-themes of the conference include, Green Finance, marketing, and supply chain, Strategies and Policies for a green economy, Renewable energy  and Ecosystem for a green economy and Digital economy Entrepreneurship.

Agama, who has confirmed his attendance, expressed the belief that opportunities in terms of green economy are linked to the enormous possibilities for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, ecotourism, and coastal development.

Also, other stakeholders have highlighted that Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing its natural resource potential could make the country a pioneer in promoting green economy development, hence the choice of the theme of the conference.

The conference, according to Yemisi Izuora, the publisher, Oriental News Nigeria Online, is segmented into two main broad areas, with the opening programme to address the key thematic topic through the guest speakers’ intervention and chairmans remarks with comments from participants which centers around the conference theme.

The second segment is round-table discussion through wider engagement by select professionals to discuss the main theme and sub-themes of the conference.

In recent years, economies all around the world have been experiencing a protracted slowdown driven by structural, global, and cyclical factors.

Economic strategies that have been implemented to tackle recession and achieve rapid economic development have endangered sustainable growth by contributing to environmental degradation, global warming, and other negative repercussions.

Changing the paradigm to a green economy will boost natural capital stocks, safeguard the environment, and ensure social justice by providing practical tools and approaches to achieve sustainable growth while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

A transition to a green economy, however, faces challenges such as a lack of an appropriate policy framework, inadequate capital expenditure, varying levels of development, and resource endowments.

Therefore, for green sustainable development, newer business models, strategic changes and innovation in the use of resources, responsible and cleaner business practices, and green technologies are needed.

The conference will draw together and engage researchers, eminent practitioners, and policymakers from across the country who will form part of the plenary (Round-Table) session that will deliberate on the latest findings on practices and policies for a green economy and sustainable growth through strategic change and identify priorities for action by stakeholders to pursue the most promising policies and practices.

The conference will also serve as a venue where academic peers may exchange information, share experiences, collaborate, and develop management answers to pressing business issues.