Ghana and GIZ Launch Mobilize Net‑Zero II to Decarbonize Domestic Transport
On Wednesday, the Energy Commission of Ghana hosted a project‑preparation meeting with a delegation from the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) to advance the Mobilize Net‑Zero II initiative. The program aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of Ghana’s domestic transport sector, a critical component of the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (GH‑NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
Background and Climate Commitments
Transport accounts for roughly 24 % of Ghana’s total greenhouse‑gas emissions, with road vehicles contributing the majority of that share [1]. In its updated GH‑NDC, Ghana pledged to reduce emissions by 15 % below business‑as‑usual levels by 2030, conditional on international support [2]. Meeting this target requires a rapid shift away from fossil‑fuel‑powered cars, buses and two‑wheelers toward cleaner alternatives.
The Mobilize Net‑Zero II initiative is part of GIZ’s global portfolio that assists partner countries in translating climate pledges into concrete actions. Ghana was selected due to its strategic location in West Africa, growing urbanisation, and existing policy momentum around electric mobility.
Three Pillars of the Initiative
During the meeting, stakeholders outlined the initiative’s core focus areas:
- Promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and e‑mobility solutions – expanding the uptake of EVs across passenger, public‑transport and freight segments.
- Mobilising climate finance – designing mechanisms that attract private‑sector investment and leverage international climate funds.
- Integrating gender‑responsive approaches – ensuring that women and marginalised groups benefit from new transport technologies and associated job opportunities.
Acting Executive Secretary Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie stressed that “strong coordination is essential to ensure grid readiness, reliable charging infrastructure and sustainable electric vehicle growth in Ghana” [3].
Regulatory and Infrastructure Foundations
The Energy Commission presented its ongoing work on the regulatory framework for EV charging infrastructure and battery replacement. Key elements include:
- Technical standards for public and private charging stations aligned with IEC 61851 and IEC 62196.
- Guidelines for second‑life battery use and recycling to minimise environmental impact.
- A streamlined permitting process intended to reduce deployment timelines from months to weeks.
These steps are intended to create a reliable, scalable e‑mobility ecosystem that can support both urban centres and rural corridors.
Financing, Capacity Building and Job Creation
Delegates also explored complementary topics that are vital for long‑term success:
- Integrating renewable energy sources — particularly solar and small‑scale hydro — into the national grid to power EV charging stations.
- Designing innovative financing instruments such as green bonds, results‑based finance, and concessional loans to de‑risk private investment.
- Launching capacity‑building programmes for local technicians, fleet operators and policymakers, drawing on GIZ’s vocational training expertise.
- Identifying opportunities to create green jobs in vehicle assembly, charging‑station maintenance, and battery‑management services.
According to the International Energy Agency, every 1 % increase in EV adoption can generate up to 0.5 % additional employment in related services within developing economies [4]. Ghana’s target of 30 % EV penetration by 2030 could therefore translate into tens of thousands of new jobs.
Next Steps and Outlook
The preparatory meeting marked an important milestone toward formalising a collaboration that stakeholders hope will yield concrete policy reforms, infrastructure investments and measurable emissions reductions in the coming years. Follow‑up workshops are scheduled for Q4 2025, focusing on detailed road‑mapping, stakeholder engagement and the mobilisation of the first tranche of climate finance.
As Ghana continues to align its transport sector with its climate ambitions, the Mobilize Net‑Zero II initiative offers a structured pathway to combine technical expertise, financial support and inclusive social policies — key ingredients for a sustainable, low‑carbon future.
References
- International Energy Agency (IEA). Global EV Outlook 2023. Paris: IEA, 2023.
- Government of Ghana. Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (GH‑NDC). Accra: Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, 2022.
- Energy Commission of Ghana. Project Preparation Meeting Minutes – Mobilize Net‑Zero II. Accra, 24 September 2025.
- World Bank. Jobs and Skills in the Electric Vehicle Transition. Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2024.
