NSIA Seals $50m Joint Venture Carbon Reduction Deal With Vitol

Nigeria’s quest for carbon reduction received a boost as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Vitol have sealed a Joint Venture agreement to invest in a range of high integrity, socially impactful, carbon avoidance and removals projects.

The agreement which was confirmed in a statement issued by NSIA will see the commitment of an initial $50m into the new venture.

The NSIA is an investment institution of the Federation set up to manage funds in excess of budgeted hydrocarbon revenues.

It’s mission is to play a leading role in driving sustained economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians through building a savings base for the Nigerian people, enhancing the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, and providing stabilization support in times of economic stress.

The Authority is empowered to receive, manage, and invest funds in a diversified portfolio of medium and long-term assets on behalf of all three tiers of government including the Federal Capital Territory, in preparation for the eventual depletion of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.Through the agreement, both companies would invest exclusively in projects in Nigeria, partnering with local NGOs which have a proven track record of successfully delivering high-quality projects that combine carbon offsetting with social benefits that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The NSIA said in a statement that the new venture is open to new investors as the partners develop the project pipeline.

The initiative, the statement noted, will seek to mobilize voluntary market carbon capital from the partners and potential third parties in a small step toward a more equitable energy transition for Africa.

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Mr Uche Orji said that the Authority is committed to playing a leading role in advancing climate solutions that will lower Nigeria’s carbon emissions..

Orji expressed optimism that the NSIA’s partnership with Vitol will be key to establishing and accelerating carbon reduction and avoidance in Nigeria.

He said this would be achieved by providing an enabling platform to trade carbon credits.

He said, “NSIA is committed to playing a leading role in advancing Climate Solutions that help to lower Nigeria’s carbon emission as an integral part of its ESG strategy.

“NSIA expects that the partnership with Vitol will be key to establishing and accelerating carbon reduction and avoidance in Nigeria by providing an enabling platform to trade carbon credits, while
channelling investments in sustainable projects to deliver emission-reduction results.

“We are therefore very pleased to be working with Vitol to channel our investments in sustainable projects to deliver emission-reduction results as well as significant socio-economic outcomes that will be of benefit to Nigerians.”

Also speaking, the Head of Environmental Products, Vitol,
Michael Curran, said in the statement that the company has been investing in high-quality carbon mitigating projects globally for over ten years.

He said the company is delighted to be partnering with the NSIA to support Nigeria’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through projects that address critical environmental and climate threats.

He said, “Vitol has been investing in high-quality carbon mitigating projects globally for over a decade, with a recent focus on sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are delighted to be partnering with NSIA to support Nigeria’s national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through projects that address critical environmental and climate threats.

“The projects will have a clear focus on delivering social benefits, alongside the highest standards of carbon offsetting.

“Used appropriately as part of a comprehensive corporate energy transition strategy, offsetting will play a key role in meeting the Paris Climate Agreement objectives and contribute toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Vitol is a leader in the energy sector with a presence across the spectrum from oil through to power, renewables and carbon.

It trades 7.6 million barrels per day of crude oil and products, and charters circa 6,200 ship voyages every year.

Vitol’s clients include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial companies and utilities.

Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, today Vitol serves clients from some 40 offices worldwide and is invested in energy assets globally including: 16 m m3 of storage globally, 500 k b/d of refining capacity, over 6,800 service stations and a growing portfolio of transitional and renewable energy assets. The company’s revenues in 2021 were $279bn.