Katsina State has positioned itself as a continental model for sustainable development during the recent COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda's administration showcased the state's transformative climate initiatives, emphasizing the critical need for stronger international partnerships to support subnational climate action across Africa.
Katsina's Climate Leadership at COP30
Representing Governor Radda at the Nigerian Pavilion, Special Adviser on Climate Change Professor Mohammed Al-Amin delivered a powerful address titled "Imperative for International Collaborations and Supports Towards Climate Actions at Subnational Level: The Katsina State Pathway." The presentation occurred on November 19, 2025, marking a significant moment for Nigerian climate diplomacy.
"Through our reforms, Katsina State has become a living model for Africa's green transition—a subnational proof-of-concept that sustainability is not a constraint on growth, but its most enduring foundation," declared Professor Al-Amin during his keynote speech.
Institutional Reforms Driving Change
The Katsina delegation highlighted several groundbreaking institutional reforms that have positioned the state at the forefront of Africa's climate response. These strategic initiatives include the establishment of the Katsina State Council on Climate Change (KSCCC), directly chaired by Professor Al-Amin, and the creation of the State Secretariat on Climate Change within the Office of the Governor.
Most notably, the state implemented Africa's first subnational Green Public Procurement Executive Order, embedding sustainability standards across all government projects and procurement processes. These reforms respond directly to the daily challenges faced by Katsina communities, including desertification, erratic rainfall patterns, and declining agricultural productivity.
30 Bankable Projects for Global Partners
Katsina State presented an impressive portfolio of 30 fully developed climate projects spanning multiple critical sectors. These bankable initiatives cover solar energy development, large-scale afforestation programs, climate-smart agriculture practices, and low-carbon urban development strategies.
The comprehensive project portfolio signals the state's readiness to collaborate with development partners, multilateral institutions, and private investors. Professor Al-Amin further outlined the vision for Katsina's Climate Resilience Fund and Green Growth Strategy, designed to serve as effective channels for global cooperation while ensuring international financing directly supports local action.
Observers at COP30 noted that Katsina State's practical approach offers a viable template for how subnational governments can effectively drive Africa's green transition. The presentation reinforced the state's ambition to become a continental leader in sustainable development and climate resilience, aligning with both the Paris Agreement and the African Union's Agenda 2063.
"Our message to the world is clear: Africa's green growth will not emerge from rhetoric, but from action—and subnational governments are where that action begins," Professor Al-Amin emphasized, capturing the urgent call for partnership that defined Katsina's participation at the global climate summit.
