Accra, June 2025 – The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) renewed calls for transformative climate action at its 7th annual Incubating Climate Innovation symposium, bringing together over 130 stakeholders—including government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and development partners—at the Accra Marriott Hotel. The event focused on discussions that championed locally driven climate solutions and explored the untapped potential of SME-led innovation in Ghana.
Held under the theme “Building for Scale: Action for Greater Impact,” the one-day convening spotlighted homegrown technologies in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, water purification, and agro-processing. Panels and breakout sessions surfaced four critical barriers to scaling: closing financing gaps, aligning policy incentives, building efficient distribution networks, and rigorously measuring environmental and social impact.
Speakers at the event included Kathleen Flynn-Dapaah, Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission in Ghana, who shared expertise on gender-integrated development; DA Energy’s Dzifa Amegashie, who advocated for urgent private-sector action; Arthur Energy Africa’s Harriette Amissah-Arthur discussing renewable energy scaling; and IMANI Africa’s Dennis Asare who analyzed impact of climate policy reforms.
The discussions come at an important time. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) contribute 70% of Ghana’s GDP and employs 80% of workforce when including informal businesses, according to Registrar General’s Department (2023) (file). Yet, SMEs face an estimated $4.8 billion gap in financing needed to grow, scale up, or even survive – one of the largest in Africa. Centers like the GCIC, which has helped 196 businesses secure $46.6 million in capital and created 32,078 green jobs, are examples of support initiatives that could accelerate reforms.
The call to action from the symposium was clear. Government was urged to accelerate regulatory reform and create stronger incentives for investment. Investors were challenged to channel climate finance more directly to SMEs—backed by transparent, impact-oriented reporting. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to leverage data, form coalitions, and push for more inclusive ecosystems. “The time for incremental progress is over,” the GCIC team declared in closing remarks. As the effects of climate change intensify across the continent, participants left with a shared mandate: to move faster, collaborate deeper, and scale smarter—for Ghana and beyond.