PowerUp

Background

Ghana is experiencing rapid growth in energy demand, driven by population increase, urbanisation, and industrial expansion. While access to electricity has improved significantly over the past decade, reliance on fossil fuels and high energy costs continue to pose challenges to households, businesses, and industries. 

Ghana’s energy sector is at a pivotal moment, working to raise the share of renewable energy in its energy mix from 3% to 10% by 2030, in alignment with its National Energy Transition Framework and climate goals.

Solar energy presents one of the most promising opportunities to meet rising demand while reducing dependency on non-renewable sources. 

However, the transition faces systemic barriers. These include limited access to affordable financing for renewable energy transition, insufficient local technical expertise, and gaps in linking skilled youth to industry opportunities. Many trained solar technicians struggle to find full time formal employment, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter both financial and technical constraints in adopting renewable energy solutions. 

The project

Swisscontact’s engagement is closing critical gaps by harnessing private sector partnerships, enhancing skills development, and fostering entrepreneurship. In collaboration with strategic allies such as the Arthur Waser Foundation, this initiative supports Ghana in unlocking its renewable energy potential while generating sustainable employment opportunities. It forms a key component of the Green Economy project.

Intervention Areas

The project focuses on two core areas:

• New Business Development
  Supporting the creation and growth of green enterprises, particularly among youth and SMEs.
• Capacity and Skills Development
  Equipping individuals with the technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in the renewable energy sector.

Project goals

• Scale market-relevant training and job placement for solar technicians, with a focus on graduates from Don Bosco Technical Institute in Ashaiman, to meet industry demand and boost employability.
• Catalyse entrepreneurship and local innovation in renewable energy by laying the groundwork for domestic production of solar PV systems and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of green startups.
• Overcome financial and technical barriers that prevent SMEs from adopting renewable energy solutions, enabling broader access and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Expected results

• Employment and entrepreneurship: Increased pathways for youth and skilled graduates to secure employment or establish their own renewable energy enterprises, with access to seed funding. 
• Innovation ecosystem: New locally driven solutions and renewable energy start-ups emerging in Ghana’s energy sector.