• Ghana aims to lead Africa in electric vehicle development, minister says

• Country has 17,000 EVs but lacks nationwide charging and maintenance infrastructure

• Government plans major clean-energy investments to support EV growth and energy transition

Ghana wants to move faster than any other African country in developing electric vehicles (EVs) and turn its early advantage into lasting leadership, Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor said on Wednesday at the African Renewable Energy Forum (REFA) ongoing in Accra.

Ghana currently has about 17,000 registered EVs, the largest fleet on the continent. Much of this growth has been driven by local companies such as SolarTaxi and Kofa, which assemble electric motorcycles, tricycles, buses and other small vehicles through partnerships with Chinese manufacturers including BYD, Chery, Dongfeng and TAILG. These vehicles are widely used for deliveries, city transport and freight, and offer operating costs up to 60 percent lower than traditional fuel-powered options.

Despite this progress, Jinapor said Ghana’s EV ecosystem remains constrained by inadequate infrastructure. A UNDP study found that at the start of 2024, only seven public charging stations were available nationwide, all in Accra. With most users relying on home charging, long-distance travel is limited, adoption is slower, and commercial operators face practical barriers.

To support further growth, Jinapor called for a national charging network that would require strong private-sector investment. Maintenance capacity is another bottleneck, as few local workshops can service electric vehicles, forcing owners to depend on dealers or accept limited repair options. Strengthening vocational training and forging partnerships between technical institutes and industry will be essential, he said, to build a skilled workforce able to support a growing EV market.

The government sees EV expansion as part of Ghana’s broader energy transition strategy. In August, the energy ministry approved a 3.4 billion-dollar program to install 1,400 MW of clean-energy capacity across the country, including rooftop systems for schools and health facilities. The initiative aims to diversify the energy mix, reduce reliance on imported fuels and accelerate solar deployment, helped by an 80 percent drop in panel prices in recent years.

Jinapor said Ghana is studying models from India and China, where rapid growth in the EV industry was driven by targeted policies, public-private partnerships and support for local value chains. With the right investments and strong local participation, he believes Ghana can achieve a level of clean-energy and EV development comparable to leading global performers.

Olivier de Souza