Abuja, Nigeria, 1 July, 2020 - Nigeria has formally kicked off the process of designing and implementing an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) for financing national development priorities and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Initiative underscores the country’s commitment to taking a holistic, data-driven and long-term approach to the development of a financing strategy for the SDGs. It follows recent steps, including the development of an SDG baseline performance indicator database and the domestication of an integrated SDG (iSDG) tool for medium and long-term development planning. 

The integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) is a United Nations initiative to support countries in operationalizing the agreements of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) for financing the SDGs. Despite challenges, which have been significantly amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government's commitment remains firm in ensuring resources are allocated effectively towards achieving the SDGs in Nigeria. The health and socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic implies that spending needs to increase, while revenue streams continue to shrink. Achieving the SDGs, therefore, requires mobilizing a diverse range of public and private resources.

At the Inception Workshop, held on 30^th June 2020, it was re-affirmed that Nigerian Government would continue to focus on designing and implementing proactive and people-oriented policies and plans aimed at ensuring an inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy.  The INFF initiative is not intended to replace existing financing policies and frameworks, but will be a mechanism that supports the Government to sustainably finance a resilient future - where no citizens are left behind.  Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic, the process is a timely opportunity for an in-depth analysis to identify areas for improvement, synergy and critical gaps, with a focus on co-creating an integrated framework. Private Sector representatives, Development Partners, as well as other Government Officials present at the workshop, echoed the timeliness of the initiative and declared their commitment to working collaboratively.

The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning will drive the Government-led process, in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU). The multi-stakeholder core working group in guiding the process also includes the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Governors Forum, Budget Office of the Federation, World Bank, IMF, AFDB, ISDB as well as the private sector advisory group on SDGs, among others.