Business Sweden, a Swedish Trade and Invest Council, and Scania West Africa Ltd. have expressed interest in investing in the development of a sustainable urban transport system and bus rapid transit (BRT) in Nigeria.
According to them, bringing investment into Nigeria will enable the Swedish Business community to build a transport system that promotes sustainability, operates on biofuel, and helps Nigeria to reduce her carbon footprint, which has been achieved in Sweden and some West African countries.
Using Lagos as a focal point, the Swedish team said Lagos, which is the commercial capital of Nigeria, is presently grappling with rapid urbanisation.
The team also pointed out that the state, home to 20 million residents, faces the reality of having one of the world’s worst traffic, which not only hinders time and productivity but also poses severe environmental challenges.
Speaking in Lagos recently during a sustainable urban transport event hosted by Scania West Africa Ltd, Annika Hahn-Englund, Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and ECOWAS, said that Sweden is currently exploring innovative partnerships in Nigeria that will create an opportunity to invest in urban transport development and alternative fuel solutions tailored for the Nigerian market.
Hahn-Englund added that the country is committed to environmental sustainability by implementing progressive policies and initiatives.
On her part, Anthonia Adenaya Huard, regional director, West Africa & Transport Industry Lead- Africa, said Business Sweden, which comprises Swedish companies, will be happy to enter into a strategic partnership with the Nigerian government to secure funding that would translate into investment in a sustainable future.
According to her, Team Sweden’s agenda focuses on accelerating net zero emission with keen effort in sustainable urban transport development.
She said Team Sweden, which comprises different organisations that specialise in different areas of the economy, would be happy to engage with Nigerian companies and the government to drive sustainable urban development.
Highlighting Scania’s effort in sustainable mobility in Africa, François Lechat, head of Scania West Africa, said the company is presently implementing its mobility solution in Accra, Ghana, and Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.
He said the company operates a BRT system using biofuel generated from agricultural and household waste.
“Our target is to modernise urban mobility with bus rapid transit and manage waste by turning waste into an asset such as biofuel. We also want Nigeria to use the opportunity to create jobs by developing assemble plants, build capacity through training, and drive a shift towards a sustainable future,” he said.
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