GreenInclusion: 
The Green Economy Project

The project supports Ghana’s transition to renewable energy, thereby reducing carbon emissions and energy costs and at the same time realises the untapped potential of job creation in the sector. By capacity building and upskilling of the current and new workforce, piloting of new business models and developing financing mechanisms to facilitate investments by companies, individuals and institutions in renewable energy, the project drives Ghana’s shift toward a bright and sustainable future.
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Accra
5.559284600000001
-0.1974306
Project duration
2024 - 2028

Context

Ghana’s transition to a green economy holds immense promise, but also faces persistent challenges. With widespread youth unemployment and underemployment, particularly in rural areas, 86% of jobs remain informal, and only 25% are considered productive. Women and young people are disproportionately affected, often confined to low-income, low-skill roles.

Despite national strategies and climate commitments, Ghana’s green economy transition is still in its early stages. Weak infrastructure and limited policy implementation continue to hinder progress. Yet the country has strong potential for renewable energy, especially solar and wind, if adoption can be accelerated.

The project

The Green Economy Project supports Ghana’s goal of achieving a 10% renewable energy mix by 2030. By making renewable energy more accessible and beneficial for businesses, institutions, and households, the project contributes directly to Swisscontact’s Strategy 2028, which places climate change at its core. Our approach focuses on:

  • Reducing carbon emissions
  • Lowering energy costs
  • Creating sustainable jobs

The project targets two key groups:

  • Energy users: Businesses, institutions, and households seeking affordable green energy solutions.
  • Energy workforce: Technicians, installers, and service providers who build and maintain renewable energy systems.

To unlock Ghana’s renewable energy potential, we address three major barriers:

  • High upfront costs for solar photovoltaic systems
  • Limited access to quality technology and services
  • Low awareness and lack of upskilling opportunities

Our integrated solutions combine smart financing, business development, and capacity building:

  • BisaConnect: An Investment Readiness Platform that connects businesses with vetted renewable energy consultants and encourages clean energy investment.
  • AyaSol Hubs: Container-based solar hubs that distribute solar products and offer entrepreneurship training for youth-led solar businesses.
  • Green Skills Development: Collaboration with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to align curricula with industry needs, focusing on practical skills such as CO₂ accounting, energy efficiency, and digital competencies.

By bridging the gap between training and employment, Swisscontact empowers young professionals to transition from classroom learning to income-generating opportunities. Our interventions promote inclusive green growth, reduce unemployment, and build a skilled workforce to power Ghana’s sustainable future.

Products

SkillUp
The labor market is polarized, with surpluses of both highly educated and unskilled workers, highlighting the urgent need for practical training to bridge the gap. Despite these challenges, Ghana’s education system provides a solid foundation, and its workforce is well-positioned for upskilling. Aligning training programs with green economy demands and fostering innovation in green industries can create sustainable jobs, drive economic growth, and build an inclusive green economy.
BisaConnect
Ghana’s energy sector struggles with high energy costs and unreliable supply in some areas. Solar energy, the country's most abundant renewable resource, offers a sustainable solution but faces adoption barriers, including perceived investment risks, limited financing knowledge, and a lack of independent feasibility assessments.
GHC Accounting and Decarbonisation
As global climate commitments tighten and sustainability becomes central to international trade, Ghanaian industries must stay ahead by addressing all levels of their carbon footprint. While companies have made progress on Scope 1 and 2 emissions—those generated across supply and value chains remains largely unaddressed. To close this gap, AGI/ESC, with support from Swisscontact Ghana, is expanding its decarbonization efforts through targeted training, technical support, and consultant development through the GHG Accounting and Decarbonization Training
AyaSol
AyaSol creates a dynamic ecosystem for youth-led solar entrepreneurship, combining technical training, business incubation, financing, and market access. This integrated approach turns skills into sustainable businesses, expanding clean energy access and powering inclusive growth across Ghana.

Expected Results

  • BisaConnect Platform: The project will establish an Investment Readiness Platform, BisaConnect, that connects third-party renewable energy feasibility assessments with reliable installers and innovative financing options. At least 400 potential green user companies, including 20% women-led enterprises, will be informed about the platform’s services and opportunities.
  • AyaSol Hubs: Through the promotion of AyaSol Hubs, new services such as solar panel installation and maintenance will become available, fostering innovative business models and driving job creation. A minimum of 700 skilled individuals (20% women) will be made aware of the AyaSol business model and its training offerings, while 3,000 green energy users (20% women) will gain access to solar products.
  • SkillUp Awareness: The project will sensitise 2,400 semi-skilled workers (20% women) on the potential for re-skilling and upskilling in the renewable energy sector through the SkillUp initiative.
  • Training and Income Generation: At least 90 semi-skilled workers (16% women) will access targeted training and begin offering new services in the renewable energy sector. As a result, they are expected to increase their annual income by approximately CHF 6,700.

 

Project Partners

Funding partners

This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. 

News

Ghana
02.06.2026
From Dialogue to Action: SkillUp 2026 Charts a Path for Ghana’s Future Energy Workforce
As Ghana accelerates its transition toward a more sustainable and technology-driven energy sector, one question continues to shape the future of the industry: does the workforce have the skills needed to keep pace with change?

This question was at the heart of SkillUp 2026, a stakeholder forum organized by Swisscontact as part of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Sustainable Energy B2B Expo.
Ghana
03.05.2026
First Cohort of 2026 GHG Accounting & Decarbonisation Training Concludes, Strengthening Industry Capacity for Climate Action
As climate accountability becomes increasingly critical for businesses worldwide, Ghanaian industries are continuing to build the knowledge and systems needed to remain competitive in a low-carbon future. The first cohort of the 2026 GHG Accounting and Decarbonisation Training, delivered through the continued partnership between Swisscontact Ghana and the Association of Ghana Industries – Energy Service Centre (AGI-ESC), has successfully concluded at the AGI offices in Accra after four intensive days of practical learning
Ghana
02.05.2026
BisaConnect Platform Engages Stakeholders to Accelerate Solar Energy Adoption in Ghana
On 12 February 2026, key public and private sector stakeholders gathered at the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Accra for a stakeholder engagement session on BisaConnect, a new digital platform designed to streamline access to solar energy solutions for Ghanaian industries.