On July 22, 2025, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), through its National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), reaffirmed its dedication to promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
As part of its Save Energy and Boost Profits campaign, the NPAC team, led by Executive Director Dr. Chidiebere Onwumere, paid a courtesy visit to the European Union (EU) delegation in Abuja. The visit aimed to express gratitude for the EU’s support of ACCI’s ongoing research and advocacy efforts, particularly the project exploring green technologies and digital innovation for economic growth and sustainability in Nigeria.
Dr. Onwumere emphasized the critical need for practical implementation support for SMEs, calling on the EU for assistance in four main areas: platform integration, access to technical tools, capacity building, and greater awareness among SMEs about the benefits of energy efficiency. Highlighting ACCI’s network of over 4,000 SMEs, he stressed that even small steps like basic energy audits could have a huge impact.
In response, EU Programme Manager Mr. Geoffrey praised ACCI’s transition from research to real-world impact and recommended collaboration with the Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP), implemented by GIZ. He also outlined several EU-supported initiatives that could benefit ACCI and its members, including:
•The upcoming National Industry Energy Demand Survey (report due August 2025)
•GetInvest for project development and financing
•Climate Investor One for renewable energy funding
•The Demand Stimulation Programme for audits and technical support
Mr. Geoffrey confirmed the EU’s readiness to connect ACCI to these programmes and stressed the alignment between ACCI’s mission and ongoing EU efforts across Nigeria.
Dr. Onwumere warmly welcomed the opportunity, expressing ACCI’s strong interest in formal collaboration and continued advocacy for SMEs transitioning to clean energy.
Both parties agreed on the immense potential of this partnership to drive energy efficiency adoption across Abuja’s SME sector, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic and environmental sustainability goals.