German Development Cooperation launches Green Finance Facilitator Programme to boost climate-friendly businesses in Ghana

With the aim of developing bankable green projects and promoting access to sustainable financing for businesses, the German Development Cooperation, through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has launched the Green Finance Facilitator (GFF) programme. The launch event, held in Accra, was themed “Developing a Pipeline of Green Projects in Ghana.”

As Ghana advances towards transitioning to a sustainable, climate-resilient economy, achieving its climate goals requires substantial financial investment. While $15 billion is needed, only five percent of this target has been secured, creating a significant gap between green finance providers who report a shortage of investable green business proposals, and Ghanaian businesses that often lack the capacity to present green projects meeting the requirements of financial institutions.

The Green Finance Facilitator (GFF) programme is designed to address this gap by building a pipeline of bankable and investable green projects. The programme will support the increased scale and pace of green investments in Ghana by offering customized technical assistance and business advisory services through top-tier local partners. Supported businesses will be presented to financiers for funding consideration.

William Hugo, Cluster Coordinator for the Network for Inclusive Development at GIZ-Ghana, emphasized the significance of this intervention: "The Green Finance Facilitator (GFF) programme is a timely and relevant response to the urgent need for increased green finance flows to support sustainable and climate development in Ghana. With a focus on capacity building, technical assistance, and market development, we are proud to partner with our stakeholders to deliver the GFF program, which will help develop green projects that directly benefit the country."

Key Components of the GFF Programme:

- Financial feasibility review and financial modeling

- Business plan improvement and market analysis

- Structuring support to meet financier requirements

- Assistance with contractual negotiations

During the event, the official launch of the GFF website was also announced. The website is designed to empower businesses and drive sustainable investments by offering a user-friendly interface with comprehensive resources. These resources include detailed eligibility criteria, step-by-step application guidelines, and downloadable tools to support green projects.

Call for applications

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as large projects are encouraged to apply for support under the GFF programme. Interested applicants can access eligibility criteria and application guidelines on the GFF website at www.greenfinancefacilitator.com. Successful applicants will be matched with top-tier local business advisory firms who will provide tailored support specific to each business or project's needs. The GFF will then invite financial institutions to consider financing offers and assist cohort companies in negotiating and securing these offers.

The GFF programme represents a vital step in advancing Ghana's climate goals and fostering sustainable economic growth through green investments.