Catalyzing Renewable Energy Manufacturing in Ghana Roundtable
Background
Ghana is a vibrant renewable energy market with a strong momentum for growth. In 2023, the Government of Ghana and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) developed the Ghana Energy Transition and Investment Plan (ETIP) which details a credible pathway for how Ghana can achieve net-zero energy-related carbon emissions by 2060, which is ten years faster than previously committed under the country’s Energy Transition Framework. It is anchored on four main technological solutions – renewables, low-carbon hydrogen, battery electric vehicles and clean cookstoves – prioritizing an orderly transition balancing critical socio-economic objectives.
The Government of Ghana is placing a strong emphasis in aligning the energy transition with countries’ industrialization and job creation objectives. It has taken steps to encourage building a local manufacturing ecosystem for energy transition solutions and complementary infrastructure to support local value addition.
The Ghana Automotive Development Policy, launched in 2020, aims to position Ghana as a competitive hub for the automotive industry in West Africa. The 2024 Budget introduced incentives for electric vehicles, including duty waivers and zero VAT on locally assembled cars. With significant lithium reserves and a new Green Minerals Policy, the government is promoting investments in domestic refining with forward linkages to battery manufacturing. Solar PV is projected to become the dominant energy source by 2060 in Ghana. Ongoing initiatives like the One District One Factory, Ghana Free Zones Authority, and Special Economic Zones can further strengthen local manufacturing ecosystems for solar PV, battery, and electric vehicles to meet domestic demand and increase exports.
Unlocking the domestic renewable energy manufacturing opportunity requires an approach that holistically addresses demand-, supply-side as well as ecosystem-related challenges. On the demand- side, manufacturers require off-take guarantees from domestic or export markets. Complementary policies and infrastructure, including regional trade frameworks and interconnections, can boost demand for products. Supply-side incentives such as fiscal incentives, concessional financing, and standard operating procedures (e.g. land and water access, time-bound corporate tax rebates) are crucial to strengthen the investment case and improve competitiveness. Finally, ecosystem-level interventions are also necessary focusing on education and training to address skills needs of an emerging sector, support local research and development, and strengthen firm-level capabilities.
Objective
The objectives of the Catalyzing Renewable Energy Manufacturing in Ghana Roundtable are:
- Convene stakeholders from Ghana’s renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem, including government, private sector, industry associations, financiers, and development partners;
- Showcase findings and insights from Africa REMI engagement in Ghana with stakeholders on
expanding domestic manufacturing of solar PV, battery storage and electric mobility; - Identify priority strategies and measures needed to address existing challenges across policy,
investments and skills gaps; and - Develop an action agenda to scale investments in renewable energy manufacturing through partnerships facilitated by SEforALL’s Africa Renewable Energy Manufacturing Initiative.
- Leverage the Roundtable to Inform the Ghana Manufacturing Policy and Investment Guide.
Draft agenda
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00 | Registration and coffee networking |
| 9.30 – 9.45 | High-level opening remarks |
| 9.45 – 10.00 | Introduction to Africa Renewable Energy Manufacturing Initiative and Roundtable |
| 10.00 – 11.30 | Industrial policy mix for accelerating renewable energy manufacturing Key questions: • What are some of the key policy measures introduced by government to attract investments in local manufacturing of energy transition technologies? • What are the barriers facing manufacturers to meet domestic and export demands of solar PV, batteries and electric vehicles? • What further steps can the government take to support local value addition? How can Africa REMI support governments in these measures? • How can industries leverage existing government programmes, including industrial parks, to invest in domestic manufacturing? • How can policy coordination be further improved to strengthen value chain development, from critical minerals to manufacturing? |
| 11.30 – 13.00 | Mobilizing public and private financing for domestic renewable energy manufacturing Key questions: • What are the gaps in the investment framework facing local enterprises? • How can public financing, including bilateral/multilateral, be effectively designed to support local manufacturing sector? • How can support for ecosystem-level interventions, including skills development, be addressed? • How can Africa REMI, in partnership with other development programmes, address financing gaps for the local renewable energy manufacturing sector? |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 – 15.30 | Strengthening local industry ecosystem Key questions: • What are the key barriers industry is facing to scale up domestic manufacturing capabilities for renewable energy technologies? • How can public and private sector partnerships be structured to catalyze investment in local manufacturing? • What can be done to increase competitiveness of the green manufacturing? • How can the industry’s skills need be addressed most effectively though public-private partnership? |
| 15.30 – 16.00 | Closing remarks and next steps |
Related content
