Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical strategies for strengthening economic resilience and mitigating the growing impact of climate change across Africa.
The call was made during a webinar hosted by the bank to commemorate Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”
During the virtual event held on April 22, 2026, climate experts, industry stakeholders, and policy advocates examined the economic and social consequences of climate change while proposing actionable pathways to address the challenge.
In his opening remarks, the Head of Strategy and Innovation at Unity Bank, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgent need to integrate sustainability into financial and corporate decision-making processes.
He stressed that financial institutions must take a leading role in supporting climate-resilient investments and sustainable development initiatives.
“Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies,” Coker said.
Speaking during the session, Chinwe Udo-Davis highlighted the uneven distribution of climate impacts, noting that vulnerable communities with limited resources are often the hardest hit.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected,” she said, while calling for scalable and inclusive clean energy investments.
Also contributing to the discussion, Oluwatosin Ajide explained that climate change is fundamentally a structural issue requiring systemic responses.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift—from innovation and policy to financing and implementation,” Ajide said.
The conversation also spotlighted emerging opportunities in renewable energy, climate technology, and ecosystem financing, with participants identifying innovation as a key driver of long-term environmental sustainability and economic stability.
Unity Bank noted that the engagement reflects its broader commitment to embedding environmental considerations into financial services. The lender highlighted its focus on project financing and support for small and medium-scale enterprises as part of efforts to promote sustainable economic development.
The bank also reiterated the importance of cross-sector collaboration in delivering scalable solutions capable of addressing both environmental and economic challenges.
The renewed push for green investment comes amid growing global focus on climate finance and sustainability, with financial institutions increasingly expected to align capital allocation with environmental goals.
For Nigeria and the wider African region, expanding investment in clean energy and climate innovation is widely seen as essential to reducing vulnerability to climate shocks while unlocking new growth opportunities.
By convening stakeholders and encouraging dialogue around climate solutions, Unity Bank is positioning itself within the evolving sustainability landscape where financial inclusion, innovation, and environmental stewardship intersect.
Analysts say sustained investment in green infrastructure and climate technology could play a pivotal role in building resilient economies, particularly as climate risks continue to intensify across developing markets.
