Keypoints:
- Ghana targets Africa’s top EV position
- Charging network, training seen as crucial
- $3.4bn clean-energy plan backs expansion
GHANA is moving to secure what it calls a decisive lead in Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market, with plans to expand charging infrastructure, train local technicians and invest heavily in clean-energy generation. Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor outlined the strategy earlier this week at the African Renewable Energy Forum (REFA) in Accra, where he said the country wants to ‘move faster than any other African nation.’ The announcement was reported from the forum.
Ghana’s fleet signals early leadership
Ghana currently has around 17,000 registered EVs, the largest fleet on the continent and a sign of early momentum in electrified transport. Much of the growth has come from local companies SolarTaxi and Kofa, which assemble electric motorcycles, tricycles, buses and small cargo vehicles in partnership with Chinese manufacturers, including BYD, Chery, Dongfeng and TAILG.
These vehicles are now widely used for delivery services, city transport and commercial freight. According to industry estimates cited at REFA, operating costs are up to 60 percent lower than petrol-powered equivalents, an advantage that has encouraged more operators to adopt electric fleets.
Jinapor said the rise of local assembly has also created skilled jobs in Ghana’s clean-mobility sector and shows the value of building domestic capability early.
Infrastructure holds back long-distance travel
Despite the growth in vehicle numbers, Ghana’s EV ecosystem still faces major constraints. A UNDP study found that at the start of 2024, only seven public charging stations were available nationwide, all located in Accra. With most users relying on home charging, long-distance travel remains limited, adoption is slower in regional areas and commercial expansion faces practical barriers.
Jinapor called for the rollout of a national charging network driven by private-sector investment. He said clear incentives and predictable policy signals would help draw capital into charging stations along major transport corridors. Local maintenance skills are another bottleneck, with very few workshops trained to service electric vehicles. Many owners rely on dealers for repairs or accept limited options, slowing confidence in the technology.
Training and partnerships will be essential
To overcome technical capacity gaps, the minister said Ghana will expand vocational training for EV technicians. He called for partnerships between industry and technical institutes to build a skilled workforce able to assemble and maintain electric fleets nationwide.
‘We need young technicians to be trained for tomorrow’s jobs,’ he said at REFA, noting that industrial participation will be essential to growing local value chains in the EV market.
Clean-energy programme underpins EV plan
The EV push forms part of Ghana’s wider energy transition strategy. In August, the energy ministry approved a $3.4bn programme to install 1,400 MW of clean-energy capacity across the country. The initiative includes rooftop solar systems for schools and health facilities and aims to accelerate deployment of solar power in line with the sharp decline in global panel prices, which have fallen by around 80 percent in recent years.
Jinapor said affordable renewable energy is central to ensuring EVs can operate on clean power rather than fossil-fuel electricity, helping Ghana diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Lessons from Asia’s rapid EV take-off
The minister said Ghana is studying examples from India and China, where the combination of targeted policy, public-private partnerships and support for local value chains helped create globally competitive EV industries. With strategic investment and strong local participation, he believes Ghana could reach levels of clean-energy and EV development comparable to leading global performers.
