The German Development Cooperation, through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has issued an open call for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large businesses in Ghana to apply for support under its new Green Finance Facilitator (GFF) programme.
Designed to bridge the gap between green finance providers and local businesses, the programme aims to help companies transform sustainable ideas into fundable, impactful projects that contribute to Ghana’s climate goals.
As a backbone of Ghana’s economy, SMEs contribute over 70 percent of the country’s GDP and employ a significant portion of the labor force. Yet, they often face challenges in accessing sustainable financing for innovative projects.
With Ghana requiring $15 billion to achieve its climate ambitions but securing only five percent of this target, the GFF programme presents a critical opportunity for SMEs to lead the charge in building a climate-resilient economy.
William Hugo, Cluster Coordinator for the Network for Inclusive Development at GIZ-Ghana, underscored the importance of this initiative, stating, “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.”
The programme provides customized technical assistance and advisory services to businesses, ensuring their proposals meet the rigorous standards required by financial institutions. Participating companies will receive support in areas such as financial feasibility analysis, business plan improvement, and structuring to align with financiers’ requirements. The GFF also assists with contractual negotiations, enabling businesses to confidently navigate the complexities of securing funding.
At the launch event on November 26, 2024, GIZ introduced the official GFF website, which serves as a one-stop resource for interested applicants. The site provides detailed eligibility criteria, step-by-step application guidelines, and downloadable tools to help businesses refine their green projects.
By building a pipeline of bankable projects, the GFF programme aims to accelerate the pace and scale of green investments in Ghana, ultimately fostering sustainable economic growth.
