GREEN FINANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Abstract

This chapter examined the level at which financial technology (fintech), blockchain, or digital green finance can realign Nigerian port management in a way that would boost efficiencies, transparency, or sustainability. It starts by describing the major limitations that the sector is facing today these being inefficiency, corruption, and environmental degradation. As it discusses the appropriateness of utilizing fintech to enhance payment settlements, trade finance reinforcement, and financial inclusion expansion in the Nigerian ports, the discussion then examines the possibilities of blockchain to enhance supply-chain governance, give real-time tracking of the cargo, and reduce fraud-induced accountability and security. The potential role that digital green finance could play is also mentioned in stimulating environmentally sustainable operations by funding green infrastructure and encouraging measures that cut carbon emissions. Based on literature review and available empirical works, and predominantly on African-oriented works, it establishes a critical assessment of the applications of the technologies as they relate to port management in Nigeria, referencing key success factors, anticipated issues, and policy actions that the stakeholders should consider in order to achieve materialization of economic harvests and sustainability fruits. Overall, fintech, blockchain, and other technology solutions can be seen as critical to the solution of long-standing problems in the work of Nigerian ports. The synergetic effect of their joint use is possible, which will help achieve resilience, efficiency, and environmentally friendly results in the industry. Consequently, the chapter accentuates the necessity of strategic policy making, sound regulatory policies, and inter-sectoral cooperation, which are the fulcrum of the successful implementation and maximization of such technological advances in the port system of Nigeria.