At the heart of the visit was AyaSol, Swisscontact’s flagship initiative under the Renewable Energy Pillar, designed to build a self-sustaining ecosystem for youth-led solar entrepreneurship in Ghana.
AyaSol responds to a persistent challenge in Ghana’s growing renewable energy sector: while many young people acquire technical solar skills, few are able to transition into viable, income-generating businesses due to limited access to finance, tools, and structured enterprise support.
Through an integrated model that combines technical training, business incubation, financing mechanisms, and market access, AyaSol bridges the gap between classroom expertise and real-world entrepreneurship.
The initiative operates through three interconnected interventions:
Together, these components form a scalable pathway from training to self-sufficiency, contributing to youth employment, increased renewable energy access, and Ghana’s broader green economy agenda.
Reflecting on the visit, a Board member of the Arthur Waser Foundation noted:
On a one-week visit with our Foundation Board, we met partner organizations with whom we establish long-standing partnerships. As a “partner foundation”, we specifically identify locally based actors to engage in a shared vision. We deliberately conduct parts of our strategy process on site, develop a joint agenda, and engage in learning processes together.
The exchange with Swisscontact began in early 2024 and recently led to an initial project running until 2027. After just a few months, the first promising results have already begun to emerge. - Mr. Ueli Jezler, Programme Manager
During the visit, board members gained firsthand insight into AyaSol Seed, the entry point of the ecosystem implemented in partnership with the Don Bosco Training Institute. AyaSol Seed supports graduates of the Solar PV Advanced Professional Course to transition into self-employment through:
The model not only enables young technicians to establish independent solar enterprises but also expands access to quality and affordable solar solutions across both urban and underserved communities
The partnership between Swisscontact and the Arthur Waser Foundation, began in 2025, reflects a mutual commitment to inclusive green growth and practical, market-driven solutions. With an initial project timeline extending to 2027, the collaboration is already demonstrating early results, a testament to the strength of aligned vision and locally anchored implementation.
The Board visit reinforced the importance of co-creation, transparency, and on-the-ground engagement in building impactful development partnerships. By combining Swisscontact’s implementation expertise with the Arthur Waser Foundation’s strategic support, AyaSol is steadily building a new generation of solar entrepreneurs, young professionals equipped not only with technical skills, but with the business acumen and ecosystem support required to thrive.
As Ghana accelerates its clean energy transition, partnerships such as this remain critical in ensuring that the shift toward renewable energy is inclusive, youth-driven, and economically empowering.