ACCRA, Ghana (XOL Africa) — Ghana is advancing reforms under its National Energy Compact as the country moves to mobilise a $4.4 billion energy investment pipeline aimed at expanding electricity access from 89.1% currently to 99% by 2030.
More than 70 representatives from government, development finance institutions, the private sector and civil society gathered in Accra on July 22–23 for a Compact Implementation Support Workshop to assess progress and accelerate delivery of Ghana’s commitments under Mission 300, a global initiative led by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group to connect 300 million additional people across Africa to electricity by 2030.
The workshop was facilitated by Sustainable Energy for All and supported by the African Development Bank’s Africa Energy Sector Technical Assistance Program (AESTAP).
Participants validated a Ghana-led roadmap focused on accelerating reforms, attracting investment and expanding electricity access, particularly in underserved communities.
During the first year of implementation, Ghana completed eight mini-grid projects, with 35 additional mini-grids currently under construction. The country has also continued strengthening regional electricity trade through the West African Power Pool.
Ghana has completed about 60% of its National Energy Compact actions and is on track to deliver 13 of 16 priority reforms. However, some reforms face delays linked to parliamentary approvals, budget allocations and procurement processes.
The country’s electrification strategy combines grid expansion, mini-grid development, solar home systems, distributed renewable energy solutions and targeted last-mile connections.
The workshop reviewed a $4.4 billion pipeline of energy investments, including $2.6 billion expected from private sector participation. Proposed projects include rural electrification programmes, electricity interconnections with Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso, transmission upgrades, utility-scale solar projects, mini-grids and clean cooking initiatives.
“To achieve our energy targets, we are pursuing public-private partnership financing models,” said Richard Gyan-Mensah, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition. “The National Compact has an investment pipeline of US$4.4 billion, including US$2.6 billion expected from the private sector.”
He added that the government remains committed to removing administrative bottlenecks, improving coordination and turning the National Energy Compact commitments into projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
Wale Shonibare, Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulations at the African Development Bank Group, praised Ghana’s progress in implementing the compact.
“Ghana has demonstrated strong leadership in implementing its National Energy Compact. Progress during the first year has been very encouraging,” Shonibare said.
He said the workshop was designed to ensure reforms translate into investments, projects and new electricity connections, adding that the African Development Bank remains committed to supporting Ghana’s Mission 300 objectives.
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition will continue discussions on counterpart funding and parliamentary approvals, while the Energy Sector Working Group has been reorganised to improve oversight and coordination.
Development partners, civil society organisations and private sector representatives also reaffirmed their support for implementation of the compact.
The Ghana Compact Implementation Support Document will now be finalised with stakeholder input, assigning priority actions to responsible institutions with clear timelines. The investment pipeline will also be refined to support investor engagement, while technical assistance needs will be incorporated into the broader Mission 300 support programme.
