UNCDF in Ghana
West and Central Africa and the Caribbean Region
Investment grants
Our work
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in close collaboration with national authorities and development partners, uses innovative financing models to catalyse economic growth, unlock investment, support locally led climate adaptation and create jobs in Ghana. Since 2015, UNCDF has worked alongside the Government of Ghana to advance inclusive economic development and private sector growth.
With support from the European Union and the Government of Ghana, UNCDF is strengthening private sector development, skills and entrepreneurship through the “Green, Digital and Inclusive Private Sector Development” programme (2025–2029) and the “EU-Ghana Pact for Skills: Support Tertiary Education for Sustainable Employability” (2024–2028).
In parallel, with support from the Joint SDG Fund and in collaboration with United Nations partners, UNCDF is advancing Ghana’s digital transformation agenda for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through the “Leveraging Digital Ecosystems for Increased MSMEs’ Productivity” initiative (2024–2027).
Enabling Ghana’s first investment crowdfunding guidelines
UNCDF, in partnership with the Ghana's Security and Exchange Commission, supported the development of the country's first Investment Crowdfunding Guidelines. This landmark initiative aims to unlock the potential of crowdfunding as a viable financing option for MSMEs and startups in the country, while ensuring investors’ protection, by providing a regulatory framework and addressing critical gaps that have hindered the growth of innovative investment mechanisms. These guidelines support the government's plan to crowd in and mobilize private sector investments that have development dividends.
Client and mobile money operator in Western region, Ghana. Photo: UNCDF.
Client and banking agent in Ashanti region, Ghana. Photo: UNCDF.
Financing locally led adaptation
UNCDF supports locally led climate adaptation in Ghana through Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs) under the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL), which channels climate finance directly to local governments and communities. Following a pilot phase completed in 2019 and implementation under the EU-funded GrEEn Programme, support was further scaled through the Norway-supported LoCAL-ACE initiative focused on climate-smart agriculture and circular economy solutions.
To date, LoCAL-ACE has completed two PBCRG cycles, disbursing more than $1 million for climate-resilient investments including cassava processing facilities, organic waste composting and biofertilizer production, and irrigation dams for agricultural communities. These investments strengthen local economies while supporting Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
Since 2019, more than 70 climate-resilient infrastructure projects have been completed across 13 districts, creating 2,371 short-term jobs. Participating local governments have also strengthened climate planning and fiscal management through Annual Performance Assessments. Ghana is now preparing to expand these investments into drought-vulnerable northern regions.
Mechanization of an existing borehole with 5000 litres capacity overhead tank with extension of 6 No. stand pipes at Drobonso community, Affram Plains District Assembly, GrEEn Project. Photo: UNCDF.
Rehabilitated ventilated polyhouse structure with a micro irrigation system at Dzitrokwe, used for the production of tomato seedlings for farmers, Ada East District Assembly, LoCAL ACE project. Photo: UNCDF.
The GrEEn Project: the foundation for today’s cooperation
The ‘Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana” (GrEEn), supported by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana and UNCDF with SNV, closed in 2024 yet continues to provide the foundation for on-going UNCDF activities in Ghana.
With a budget of over $20M, the GrEEn Project created greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and Ghana’s population of returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses in Ashanti and Western regions of the country over four years. GrEEn worked with 11 financial service providers (FSPs), ranging from banks to fintechs, and invested over $1.4 million in tailored services for more than 200,000 individuals previously excluded from formal financial services and solo entrepreneurs. For every dollar spent on results-based financing, an additional $3.30 was mobilized from general public, including diaspora contributions and local savings. By incentivizing FSPs to explore new products and channels, and by equipping them with the right tools and insights, GrEEn effectively lowered the barriers that traditionally blocked access to capital for MSMEs, which have been historically locked out of formal financial systems.
The GrEEn project also implemented transformative climate resilient investments in 10 district assemblies through UNCDF’s Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL). Investments included flood resistant bridges and roads, access to potable water, construction of markets and a school rehabilitation, among others. Technical partnerships formed with Ghana’s National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mainstreamed climate change into planning and built capacity at the local government level. Some 403,524 people gained access to improved and climate-resilient infrastructure services whilst over 2,000 individuals benefited from skills training to enhance their employability and build their green or climate-smart businesses, which fostered local economic development.
Latest news and stories
Our partners
UNCDF’s work in Ghana is made possible in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, the European Union, the Government of Norway and the Joint SDG Fund.
Documents
This section brings together key documents related to UNCDF’s work in the country. It includes a curated selection of publications, papers, and reports that reflect the scope of engagement at country level, from programme design to implementation and outcomes.
These documents offer additional context on how initiatives are developed and delivered, and how partnerships contribute to advancing national priorities. They are intended to support transparency, facilitate knowledge sharing and serve as a practical resource for partners, stakeholders and others seeking a deeper understanding of UNCDF’s work.
| Title | Type | Date |
|---|
Contact us
For inquiries about UNCDF’s work in Ghana, including partnerships, investment opportunities, or ongoing initiatives, please contact our team at wcac.region@uncdf.org.
