Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, has called for increased investment in the green economy and adoption of frontier technologies as critical levers for strengthening economic resilience and mitigating the impact of climate change across Africa.

The call was made during a webinar hosted by the bank to mark Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”

During the virtual engagement held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, climate experts and stakeholders examined the economic and social consequences of climate change while proposing actionable solutions.

In his opening remarks, the bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, stressed the urgency of integrating sustainability into financial and business decision-making.

Coker stated that financial institutions must play a leading role in supporting climate-resilient investments.

“Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies,” he said.

Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder of Instollar, commented, “The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected.”

Udo-Davis called for scalable and inclusive clean energy investments, highlighting the uneven impact of climate change, particularly on underserved populations.

Oluwatosin Ajide of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre noted, “Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift—from innovation and policy to financing and implementation.”

Ajide emphasised the need for coordinated action across sectors, noting that climate change requires systemic solutions.

The discussion spotlighted emerging opportunities in renewable energy, climate technology, and ecosystem financing, with participants highlighting innovation as a key driver of long-term sustainability.

Unity Bank noted that its engagement reflects a broader commitment to embedding environmental considerations into financial services.

The lender particularly highlighted project financing and support for small and medium-scale enterprises.

The bank also reiterated the importance of cross-sector collaboration in delivering scalable solutions that address both environmental and economic challenges.