NSE Partners Milken Institute to Promote Green Finance

• NSE Partners Milken Institute to Promote Green Finance

The Nigerian Stock Exchange has partnered with the Milken Institute to promote sustainable finance across West Africa.

The event planned to be hosted on Webinar with the theme ‘Fundamentals of Developing Green Bond Markets’ will provide a platform for policymakers, regulators, government, West African financial market participants, domestic and international thought leaders on green finance, investors and other market stakeholders to share valuable experiences and promote sustainable finance across the region.

Commenting on the Webinar scheduled for Friday 5, June 2020, Mr Oscar N. Onyema, the Chief Executive Office, NSE, said “At the NSE, we are resolute in our commitment to promoting sustainable finance because we recognise that urgent action is required to combat climate change and its impact as enshrined in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are committed to fostering the growth of sustainable financial products which integrate the financial risks and opportunities associated with climate change and other environmental challenges.”

“Our collaboration with the Milken Institute to host this webinar, therefore, provides us with an opportunity to further contribute to the advancement of the green finance markets, as well to highlight our leadership role in this area. This journey began with the launch of the first fully certified Sovereign Green Bond in Africa by NSE, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Debt Management Office, and has since led to various strategic partnerships and landmark listings,” Mr. Onyema added.

Also speaking was the Executive Director, Milken Institute, Ms. Staci Warden, “We are pleased to support the Nigerian Stock Exchange in their commitment to developing green bond markets at home and in West Africa. Nigeria’s experience building its local market and its recent green bond issuance can provide valuable insights for West African countries. Building these markets takes intentional and coordinated efforts to create a regulatory environment that can attract qualified issuers and investors. This virtual meeting will help countries as they design and navigate their own road maps for creating sustainable capital markets.”