We partner Carbon AI to set new global standard for MRV, data assurance – Akinwumi

…Announces project advisory board, compliance team

The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GreenPlinth Africa, Olawale Akinwumi has said that the company was in partnership with Carbon AI, Canada to set a new global standard for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) and data assurance.

Akinwumi made the disclosure in his opening remarks at a three-day retreat on the 80 million clean cookstoves project held in Lagos Tuesday.

Speaking on ‘Pioneering Nigeria’s Leadership in Compliance Carbon Markets: The 80M Clean Cookstoves Project’, at the event, the CEO said: “To ensure the highest standards of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), we are proud to partner with Carbon AI, Canada, a global leader in carbon data assurance and metering technologies. Through their state-of-the-art ‘Spark’ metering system, we will introduce unprecedented transparency, real-time monitoring, and robust accountability frameworks to track carbon savings and compliance offsets.

“This innovative partnership will further solidify Nigeria’s credibility in global compliance carbon markets, ensuring that our carbon offset data meets the highest international standards attracting confidence from investors, regulators, and climate finance institutions.”

At the event themed. ‘Clean Cooking Access for Africa: Leaving No One Behind,’ Akinwumi said that about the 80M Clean Cookstoves Project the 80M PACM (Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism) Clean Cookstoves Project was not just the largest clean cooking initiative in the world but a bold economic, social, and environmental blueprint that will: deploy 80 million highly efficient, clean cookstoves across Nigeria; generate a minimum 1.2 billion tonnes of compliance carbon offsets; create over 3.5 million green jobs; establish a forex-denominated, sovereign green endowment fund for sustainable development, and improve the health and well-being of millions, especially women and children.”

According to him, “This project is rooted in Nigeria’s pioneering work under CDM2711, a UNFCCC-registered clean cookstove initiative that demonstrated improved cooking technology’s economic and climate benefits. Today, we scale up that legacy with an ambitious plan to provide free clean cookstoves to vulnerable households across Nigeria, ensuring lasting economic and social transformation.”

Speaking on those behind the vision, Akinwumi said: “At the helm of this transformative project is the visionary leadership of GreenPlinth Africa, a team of seasoned professionals and pioneers in global carbon markets. We are privileged to have as our Group Managing Director and Vice President, Victor Fodeke, Nigeria’s first-ever Designated National Authority (DNA) under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

“Fodeke played a pivotal role in authorising and overseeing eight of Nigeria’s twelve approved CDM projects, including the Shell Petroleum Development Company Afam VI Project, which earned global commendation from the UNFCCC for its excellence in carbon abatement strategies. His success led to his appointment as Technical Adviser on Climate Change to the African Union Commission, a role in which he shaped climate policy across the continent. The GPA team is further strengthened by an elite technical leadership team.

“Together, this governance team represents over 200 years of unparalleled expertise in carbon finance, technical project execution, and large-scale environmental sustainability initiatives especially as it impacts Africa.”

On partnership with Lagos State, he said: “I am proud to announce that Lagos State will serve as the anchor state for this transformative project. In partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change & Circular Economy (OCCE) and the Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget (MEPB), Lagos will spearhead the deployment of the first 6 million free clean cookstoves, with distribution set to commence in June 2025, starting in Makoko.

“Lagos’s strategic leadership in this project aligns seamlessly with the State’s THEMES++ agenda, unlocking new sources of sustainable revenue, green investments, and long-term economic development. The revenues of over USD 1 billion from compliance carbon credits will be deployed over a 28-year extendable period, funding crucial infrastructure, social welfare, and climate adaptation initiatives.”

According to him, “Establishing a strong and inclusive governance framework ensuring the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and multi-sectoral participation, we proudly announce the formation of the 80M Clean Cookstoves Project Governance Framework: Project Advisory Board – to be chaired by His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, with His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State (The Farmer Governor) as deputy chairman, supported by six Vice-Chairpersons from Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and private sector, developmental, NGO, and CSO leaders (including Salisu Dahiru).

“Project Compliance Team – to be led by Titilayo Oshodi, special adviser on Climate Change & Circular Economy (OCCE), ensuring seamless implementation, delivery compliance, and stakeholder engagement.”

To ensure its success, GreenPlinth Africa announced its collaboration with Olaniwun Ajayi Law Practice and other international partners to develop a robust regulatory and market infrastructure that would attract global Certified Emissions Reduction (Offset) off takers.