UNDP, PIND partner on advance integrated devt of Niger Delta

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) have formalized a strategic partnership to advance integrated, scalable development and investment solutions across the Niger Delta under the Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP).

The partnership, established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reflects a shared commitment to accelerating inclusive economic transformation, strengthening institutions, promoting climate resilience, and advancing sustainable development outcomes in Nigeria.

Beyond collaboration, the partnership establishes a joint platform for designing, financing, and implementing investment-ready development solutions, bringing together policy, delivery, and financing into a coherent system capable of delivering results at scale.

Anchored within UNDP Nigeria’s Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), the collaboration reflects a shift from fragmented interventions toward integrated, multi-sector development portfolios that connect enterprise growth, clean energy, innovation, and community resilience into systems that can attract investment and deliver sustainable impact.

Through this collaboration, UNDP will leverage its global development expertise, policy advisory capabilities, and investment mobilisation platforms, while PIND brings over fifteen years of experience in regional partnerships, peacebuilding, and development programme implementation across the Niger Delta.

The partnership will support programme design and implementation across key thematic areas, including clean and renewable energy solutions for underserved communities, community resilience and integrated local development, MSME growth, trade, and investment facilitation, innovation ecosystems and digital transformation and knowledge systems and data-driven development.

The collaboration will also promote conflict-sensitive and peace-responsive programming, ensuring that economic opportunities are supported by stability and that development gains are safeguarded.

This partnership combines PIND’s deep regional footprint, trusted networks, and implementation capacity with UNDP’s global expertise and systems approach to development, creating a platform for scalable, locally grounded, and investment-ready solutions.

Speaking on the partnership, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, noted: “This collaboration reflects the importance of integrated, multi-sectoral approaches to development. By combining UNDP’s global experience with PIND’s deep regional knowledge, we are strengthening our ability to deliver solutions that are scalable, inclusive, and responsive to local realities, while unlocking pathways for investment and long-term impact.”

Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, Executive Director of PIND, added: “This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening systems that connect economic opportunity, peacebuilding, and resilience. Together with UNDP, we are well-positioned to scale solutions that are locally grounded, investment-ready, and capable of delivering lasting impact across the Niger Delta.”

The MoU provides a framework for ongoing cooperation, enabling both organisations to jointly design, implement, and scale development solutions and programmes, while mobilising partnerships across government, private sector, civil society, and development finance institutions.

It also reinforces the growing importance of strategic partnerships — including philanthropic and private sector actors — in unlocking catalytic investments and accelerating development outcomes at scale.

Following the signing, both institutions will advance a three-year joint programme document and financing framework, activation of a Joint Technical Working Group, identification of initial investment-ready programme pipelines to shape a drive for strategic partnerships and investment mobilisation for the Niger Delta.

The partnership is expected to evolve into a multi-state, multi-partner platform, contributing to Nigeria’s efforts to drive inclusive growth, strengthen resilience, and advance sustainable development across the Niger Delta.