csrreporters 
The Lagos Green Economy Forum has brought together major corporations, financial institutions, and over 8,000 Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to forge a collective path toward a more sustainable, inclusive economy.
At the heart of the discussions was the role of SMEs in driving Lagos State’s green transition. Speaking at the event, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), who represented the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, emphasized that SMEs are the true engine of the state’s economy.
“We’re facilitating access to clean energy financing to help SMEs transition from fossil fuels to solar and other renewable solutions,” he said.
“Support from institutions like the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and the Ministry of Wealth Creation ensures these businesses get the tools and equipment needed to scale sustainably.”
Ajayi also highlighted efforts by the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation to empower women entrepreneurs, linking sustainability with inclusive economic growth.
A New Era for Green Business
Korede Oluwola, Convener of the Forum, underscored its broader goal: to provide a collaborative platform where the private sector, government, and SME groups can design finance models and actionable strategies to embed sustainability into operations and supply chains.
“No big business functions without SMEs. That’s why we’re aligning with the Financial Reporting Council’s mandate on environmental impact reporting by 2030,” Oluwola said.
The Forum unveiled Green Track, a new digital tool that offers SMEs step-by-step guidance, practical resources, and tailored sustainability recommendations to kickstart their green journey.
Industry Voices and Collaborative Action
The event also featured a high-level panel discussion with sustainability leaders, including:
- Lovely Okoye (7UP Bottling Company Plc)
- Temilade Olabanji (MTN Nigeria)
- Juliet Ezeani (TechnoServe)
- Titilope Oguntuga (IHS Nigeria)
- Gloria Okoria (United Nations)
They explored the practical steps and support systems required for SMEs to integrate sustainability—stressing that sustainable business is not just ethical, but essential for resilience and long-term profitability.
To ensure continuous support, the forum announced year-round initiatives such as workshops, webinars, and capacity-building sessions aimed at empowering SMEs across Nigeria to thrive within a green economy.
The Lagos Green Economy Forum signals a powerful shift: one where Nigeria’s path to sustainability is both inclusive and economically strategic.
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