Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Accra, Ghana – Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to leading Africa’s renewable energy revolution as it hosted the Seventh Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for the Africa Region. The event brought together energy ministers, technocrats, and international partners to address the continent’s urgent need for clean energy solutions and increased investment in solar power.
Seth Emmanuel Terkper, Economic Advisor to the President of Ghana, opened the forum by highlighting Ghana’s achievements in hydro and solar power, including the Akosombo Dam project. He emphasized the nation’s determination to drive Africa’s transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources, noting that effective leadership and innovative financing strategies are essential for success.
Despite Africa possessing 60% of the world’s best solar resources, the continent currently attracts less than 3% of global clean energy investments. Terkper stressed that Africa needs $100 billion annually to meet its renewable energy targets by 2030, yet current investments fall far short. He called for a clear roadmap to catalyze solar investments, build workforce capacity, and integrate digital innovation and artificial intelligence into energy systems.
Ghana’s comprehensive energy transition framework aims to leverage solar power for industrialization, job creation, and regional energy trade. The country is positioning itself as a power hub, exporting surplus clean energy through the West African Power Pool. However, Terkper warned that as more African countries transition to middle-income status, concessional financing will decline, making the development of robust domestic financial markets and effective debt repayment mechanisms critical.
Ghana’s Minister of Energy, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, opened the session with a call for both immediate and long-term action to address the continent’s energy challenges and unlock its vast solar potential.
In his address, Minister Jinapor highlighted the urgent need to bridge Africa’s energy gap, noting that nearly 600 million people on the continent still lack access to electricity. Despite representing 17% of the world’s population, Africa consumes just 4% of global energy, with rural areas particularly underserved. He emphasized that renewable energy, especially solar, is not only an environmental imperative but also a socio-economic opportunity for sustainable growth and job creation.
The Minister outlined Ghana’s ambitious renewable energy initiatives, including a $3.4 billion, five-year action plan to install 1,400 megawatts of new solar capacity by 2030. Key projects include the deployment of 100,000 smart solar street lights, 2,500 solar water pumping units for smallholder farmers, and the construction of 400 solar-powered mini-grids. Ghana aims to generate at least 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, excluding large-scale hydro, and is nearing universal access to electricity.
Jinapor also announced the establishment of a Renewable Energy Authority to coordinate sector efforts and a new green transition fund to attract private investment. He welcomed increased scholarships for Ghanaian scientists and engineers to study at the Indian Institute of Technology, facilitated by the ISA.
The meeting saw Ghana, Nigeria, and Gambia sign a country partnership framework with the ISA, reinforcing regional collaboration. Participants discussed strategies to fast-track project preparation, implement blended financing models, and scale digital solutions to advance Africa’s solar agenda.
Minister Jinapor concluded by urging open, solution-focused dialogue and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with international partners to deliver tangible results. “Africa is ready for investment and determined to achieve a just, inclusive, and reliable solar future,” he said.
The ISA meeting marks a significant step forward in Africa’s pursuit of energy security, climate resilience, and inclusive development through renewable energy.
The forum concluded with a call for Africa to become a leader—not just a follower—in the global energy transition. Delegates committed to making solar energy central to Africa’s green transformation, with Ghana targeting 21 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2030.
The meeting underscored the need for sustained policies, incremental progress, and international cooperation to ensure that solar energy powers inclusive prosperity and serves as a beacon of hope for the continent and the planet.
