July 30, 2025
In a landmark gathering at the Aso Villa Banquet Hall, the Nigeria Forest Economic Summit (NFES) 2025 brought together government leaders, private sector investors, and development partners to activate the nation’s $2 billion forest economy potential.
The summit, a strategic collaboration between the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) and the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), marked a turning point for Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda, placing forest regeneration, carbon finance, and local empowerment at the center of national policy.
Among the notable attendees was Qietur, a climate finance and community development company committed to unlocking carbon access and delivering nature-based climate solutions across West Africa. Qietur’s presence at NFES 2025 reinforced its support for Nigeria’s ambitious forest economy transition and its readiness to collaborate with key actors in the drive toward net-zero emissions and inclusive green growth.
The high-level event featured the participation of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, alongside cabinet ministers, traditional rulers, international partners, and the BCDA Management Team. Conversations centered on transforming Nigeria’s 10.6 million hectares of forests into sustainable carbon sinks, engines of rural employment, and tools for climate resilience.
While not among the presenting organizations, Qietur held strategic meetings with stakeholders across the public and private sectors, outlining its commitment to working with state governments, development institutions, and investors on the deployment of reforestation, mangrove restoration, and agroforestry projects. These initiatives are designed to generate high-quality carbon credits that directly benefit local communities through revenue sharing, employment, and ecological restoration.
Qietur’s model, anchored in Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), blockchain-based verification, and AI-powered monitoring—was cited in stakeholder discussions as an example of the kind of transparent, community-driven climate action needed to scale Nigeria’s carbon economy. Delegates expressed interest in Qietur’s ongoing work across borderland states and its upcoming Carbon Marketplace platform, which aims to connect verified African credits to global buyers.
The summit yielded several major outcomes, including the establishment of a forest economy financing framework, public–private partnerships for tree planting and carbon offset generation, and capacity-building programs for local cooperatives and youth. A resolution was passed calling for the large-scale planting of cocoa, oil palm, moringa, and rubber trees, combining carbon sequestration with agricultural export growth.
Qietur’s attendance signals a strong alignment with this national direction and its intent to collaborate with stakeholders across all levels to turn forest assets into viable carbon markets. The company reiterated its readiness to serve as a trusted partner to institutions seeking scalable, verifiable, and inclusive carbon offset projects in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
As the country accelerates toward its climate and development targets, Qietur remains committed to ensuring that climate finance reaches the last mile—transforming lives, restoring land, and positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s green economy.