Nigeria, California sign five-year clean energy pact at COP30

Nigeria and the US state of California have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on clean technology, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

The five-year agreement, signed on the sidelines of the ongoing UN COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, focuses on sustainable urban transport, green ports, low-carbon fuels, climate adaptation, methane detection and abatement, greenhouse gas reduction, and air quality improvement.

The agreement also includes academic exchanges and university partnerships aimed at driving knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and joint innovation across clean energy, aviation, and other green economy sectors.

Tenioye Majekodunmi, director-general of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), who signed the deal on behalf of Nigeria, said the partnership underscores the country’s readiness to attract global investment and advance climate-smart growth.

“This MoU with California is about collaboration, technology transfer, and building sustainable partnerships,” Majekodunmi said.

“It shows that Nigeria is ready for climate business and committed to identifying opportunities that strengthen our economy while building resilience.”

Majekodunmi noted that discussions leading to the deal began earlier this year when a California delegation visited Nigeria.

She said the collaboration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewable energy priorities and Nigeria’s broader plan to diversify its energy mix.

“We recognise our fossil dependence, but we’re taking deliberate steps toward a sustainable energy transition,” she added.

“This agreement marks a step toward cleaner, more resilient growth.”

Gavin Newsom, governor of California, said the partnership builds on the state’s record of global engagement and climate leadership.

The governor acknowledged that California’s engagement with Africa had been limited in the past, but said the agreement with Nigeria signals a renewed subnational outreach.

He added that California’s clean energy transition enjoys broad public backing across political lines.

“We’re now the world’s fourth-largest economy because we recognise that we’re a universal state. We don’t just tolerate our diversity, we celebrate it,” Newsom said.

“This agreement underscores how important Africa is to us. Even with gaps in national leadership, California continues to act at the subnational level. We’re a stable, reliable partner — and there’s no politics when it comes to building a low-carbon future.

“Three-quarters of Californians support our clean energy transition. We don’t have all the answers, but we seek them through partnerships like this.”

The signing took place amid strained climate diplomacy, as US President Donald Trump, told the UN General Assembly this year that climate action was a “con job”.

Trump also declined to send a senior federal delegation to COP30, after withdrawing his country from the Paris Agreement.

This report was produced with support from Sahara Group and the Kaduna state government