about the project
GEF-UNIDO IEE & RECP Project Nigeria
Empowering Nigeria’s Industrial Sector for a Greener Future
The GEF-UNIDO Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) Project is a transformative initiative designed to decarbonize and enhance productivity within Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this national project aims to institutionalize energy and environmental best practices across industries.
Launched in partnership with the Government of Nigeria, the project aims to create a cleaner, more competitive industrial landscape by introducing global best practices in Energy Management Systems (EnMS) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
Project Objectives
The GEF-UNIDO IEE & RECP Project is anchored on transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector into a sustainable, resource-efficient engine for economic growth. The key objectives include:
- Promoting sustainable industrial development through the integration of global best practices.
- Enhancing resource productivity and improving environmental performance within industries.
- Facilitating the adoption of Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) across key sectors.
- Strengthening the capacity of Nigerian institutions to implement and scale IEE and RECP methodologies independently.
Strategic Partnerships
This project draws strength from a diverse coalition of global and national partners, working together to ensure impactful and sustainable outcomes.
International and Funding Partners:
- GEF – Global Environment Facility
- UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization
National Implementing and Technical Partners:
- Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI)
- Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv)
- Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN)
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
- Bank of Industry (BOI)
- National Universities Commission (NUC)
- Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)
- International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED)
Together, these partners drive policy alignment, industry engagement, technical training, and long-term impact.
Project Components
The GEF-UNIDO IEE & RECP Project is built on four interconnected pillars:
- Capacity Building:
- Empowering industries and institutions with training on Energy and Environmental Management Systems.
- Developing national experts and institutional trainers.
- Policy and Institutional Support:
- Facilitating policy integration for IEE and RECP in national and industrial frameworks.
- Strengthening institutional frameworks for long-term sustainability.
- Technical Demonstration:
- Implementing IEE and RECP methodologies in pilot enterprises.
- Providing scalable success models for nationwide replication.
- Awareness Creation and Knowledge Management:
- Promoting awareness across industries and the general public.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange through workshops, publications, and a dedicated online platform.
Target Beneficiaries
This project directly and indirectly benefits a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including:
- Industrial Enterprises: Enhanced competitiveness through resource efficiency and reduced operational costs.
- Policy Makers and Regulators: Evidence-based frameworks for policy formulation and enforcement.
- Financial Institutions: Bankable industrial projects aligned with sustainability goals.
- Academic Institutions: Research collaborations, curriculum enhancements, and talent development.
Project Milestones & Achievements
As of February 2025, the GEF-UNIDO IEE & RECP Project has recorded the following achievements:
- 5 Steering Committee Meetings successfully convened, involving high-level national and international stakeholders.
- Over 10 Capacity Building Workshops conducted across key cities—Abuja, Lagos, Uyo—training hundreds of industrial and policy actors.
- Pilot Demonstration Sites established in selected industries to showcase best practices in energy and environmental management.
- Institutional Engagements across ministries, banks, universities, and standard bodies to integrate sustainability into industrial development.
- High-level Policy Dialogues initiated to embed IEE and RECP methodologies in Nigeria’s green industrial policy landscape.
