Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African nations to emulate Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, describing it as an inclusive, impactful, and visionary model for tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development. This is reported by Fana Media Corporation (FMC), a partner of TV BRICS.

He made the remarks after participating in a tree-planting event at the Gulele Riverside Project in Addis Ababa, alongside Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian officials, and members of the diplomatic community.

“There is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology in Africa – and these efforts by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his team to make Ethiopia green are worthy of emulation by all other African nations,” the Vice President stated.

Describing the initiative as a “win-win” solution, Shettima noted that it extends beyond environmental restoration by generating employment, reclaiming degraded lands, and boosting agricultural productivity.

He emphasised the active participation of women and youth, highlighting the programme’s inclusive nature and long-term economic potential.

“It’s about sustainability and economic viability,” he noted. “The trees in the next couple of years will start yielding fruits. It will mitigate the effects of climate change and enhance the livelihoods of our people.”

Praising Ethiopia’s ambition to plant over 40 billion trees through the Green Legacy Initiative, Shettima described the programme as a “game-changer” and expressed confidence in its power to inspire a new era of climate action across the continent.

African Times published this article in partnership with International Media Network TV BRICS