Government is set to empower local entrepreneurs across the electric vehicle (EV) value chain, by targeting increased local content and sustainable job creation through support for component manufacturing, battery recycling, and full-scale vehicle production.
Speaking at the launch of the KNUST-Hubei University of Automotive Technology International Joint Research Centre, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, emphasised that the country’s electric mobility strategy is not only about adopting clean energy technologies but also about building a self-reliant, inclusive industrial base powered by Ghanaian innovation and enterprise.
In remarks delivered by Seth A. Mahu, Director of Renewable Energy and Green Transition at the Ministry, the Minister outlined how Ghana plans to transition from semi-knocked down (SKD) to completely knocked down (CKD) vehicle assembly.
He said the shift is expected to unlock significant value addition in the domestic EV industry, deepen technology transfer, and drive high-skilled job creation in manufacturing, engineering, and related services.
“Local content is central to our transition strategy, hence we will support Ghanaian entrepreneurs not just as participants but as key drivers of this transformation, from battery recovery to component assembly and vehicle manufacturing,” Mr. Jinapor said
The government’s support includes targeted policy incentives such as tax breaks, import duty exemptions for electric vehicle components, and the establishment of green industrial zones.
These measures are designed to attract investment into the local EV sector while enabling Ghanaian businesses to compete on the global stage.
Mr. Jinapor noted that building a resilient and locally driven EV ecosystem will require strategic partnerships between the public sector, academia, and the private sector.
He said the newly launched research centre at KNUST, in collaboration with China’s Hubei University of Automotive Technology, is one such effort to ensure that local entrepreneurs and students have access to the technical skills and innovation platforms needed to power the country’s green industrial revolution.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of building capacity for battery recycling, a critical part of the circular economy needed to support electric mobility.
Encouraging environmentally sustainable practices within the local EV value chain, he said, will not only reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported components but also position the country as a regional leader in clean and efficient transportation solutions.
As part of its long-term vision, the government aims to create a self-sustaining EV ecosystem that feeds into regional markets, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By nurturing a skilled local workforce and incentivizing domestic manufacturing, Ghana hopes to emerge as a key EV production hub for West Africa.
“Our vision is clear, we want to create green jobs, add value to local production, and ensure Ghanaian businesses are at the forefront of Africa’s electric mobility revolution,” Mr. Jinapor said.
The government’s EV strategy aligns with its broader commitment to renewable energy and industrial transformation.
Importantly, over the next five years, Ghana plans to add more than 1,400 megawatts of clean energy to its national grid, backed by over $2 billion in green investments. This push for energy transition will provide the backbone for powering electric vehicles with sustainable, locally generated electricity.
