The Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) has called on the government to ease access to funding, licensing and renewable energy contracts for young Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

Speaking at a press conference on September 2, 2026, SYND’s Executive Coordinator, Ezekiel Chibeze, said youth-led businesses were ready to support the implementation of Ghana’s 2026-2030 Renewable Energy Master Plan.

The plan requires an estimated US$10.8 billion in investment and is expected to create more than 353,000 jobs.

However, he said high regulatory costs and complex contract requirements were preventing smaller businesses from taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the plan.

At an earlier SYND workshop, 18 youth-led energy businesses submitted business plans covering 16 of the plan’s 26 technology areas.

Ghana could enjoy low inflation for next four years – Economist

Their proposals included solar irrigation, crop dryers, water pumping systems, mini-grids, biogas, electric vehicle charging and battery storage.

The businesses proposed to build 24 solar crop dryers, 15 agricultural and industrial biogas plants, and four mini-grids.

“These are business plans, not completed projects,” Chibeze said.

To address funding challenges, SYND wants the government to operationalise the Renewable Energy Fund through the 2027 Budget and allocate resources to support young entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The organisation said the funding should help businesses access loans and meet the initial costs of executing contracts.

It also called for large projects to be broken down into smaller contracts that young businesses could handle. It proposed reserving at least 10 per cent of selected contracts, or their installation and maintenance components, for qualified local youth-led firms.

On skills development, SYND called for training to help young entrepreneurs produce, market and service improved cookstoves. Although the master plan targets 4.5 million improved cookstoves, none of the 18 businesses submitted a proposal in that area.

Regarding registration and licensing, the organisation wants a single, clearly defined process to help businesses obtain the necessary approvals.

It also called for the planned renewable energy facilitation desk to become operational in 2027, supported by a checklist outlining the requirements for businesses.

SYND further called for clearer information on a five-year tax holiday it identified for youth-led businesses, a review of taxes on renewable energy components and reduced certification renewal fees.

It said renewal charges should reflect whether solar installation companies were actively securing contracts.

BoG Governor pushes for cheaper, faster money transfers from abroad

The organisation also wants young entrepreneurs represented on the teams responsible for implementing and monitoring the master plan from 2027.

It called for annual reports on jobs created for young people, women and persons with disabilities, as well as their participation in decisions on funding.

DR/MA

BoG Governor Gives Ghanaians Christmas Cedi Assurance | What He Promised