The International Finance Corporation and Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission have announced a partnership to develop the Green Bonds market in Ghana.

According to the Director General of the commission, Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, the introduction of green bonds will give investors opportunities to finance renewable energy and other climate-friendly projects.

“The introduction of green bonds will give investors opportunities to finance green buildings, clean transportation, renewable energy, sustainable water management, and other climate-friendly projects. Green bonds will support Ghana’s transition to a lower-carbon future as specified in the country’s agreed contributions under the Paris Agreement,” he noted in a statement.

IFC’s Green Bond Programme, launched in 2010, has helped catalyze the market and unlock investment for private sector projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency.

IFC has also issued roughly 170 green bonds in 20 currencies amounting to over US$10 billion.

Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh also indicated that, “this partnership will enable the SEC to tap into IFC’s deep knowledge and develop a comprehensive reference guide appropriate for the Ghanaian market.”

IFC’s Country Manager for Ghana, Ronke Ogunsulire also stated that, “finding new avenues for green financing is a key priority for IFC. Our partnership with the SEC to design the framework for green bonds in Ghana will in turn help Ghana achieve its climate goals with projects that create jobs and spur economic growth.”

He added that the development of green bonds guidelines for Ghana is an initiative of IFC’s Green Bond Market Development Programme, supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Luxembourg government. IFC has played a leading role in developing guidelines for the green bond market globally.

In Africa, it has assisted Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and the Economic Community of Central African States.