“African governments and financial institutions must view climate action as an investment with tangible economic returns rather than a burden,” he added.

Mr. Koomson was speaking at the maiden edition of the West African Green Economy Roundtable 2025 (WAGER 2025) and Awards Ceremony in Accra.

The event which was organised by the Pent Media Centre (PMC) of the Church of Pentecost (COP) was under then theme: “Advancing Sustainable Development through Green Growth in West Africa.”

Mr. Koomson said the transition to a green economy meant creating jobs, reducing energy poverty, increasing food security, and ensuring resilience against climate shocks, adding that it was the key to building a West Africa that could compete in the 21st century global economy.

He said there was no shortage of capital in the world but what was lacking were bankable green projects, strong partnerships, and transparent governance structures to channel these resources effectively.
He called for innovative instruments such as green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and carbon markets to be scaled up, alongside enabling policies that reassure investors of both financial returns and environmental impact.

Mr. Koomson highlighted the untapped potential of African financial institutions including banks, pension funds, and insurance companies which collectively held billions of dollars in assets.

“Redirecting even a fraction of these funds into renewable energy, sustainable housing, and eco-friendly infrastructure could trigger an economic transformation of historical proportions,” he stressed.
He urged policymakers, businesses, and civil society to leave WAGER 2025 with concrete commitments, actionable roadmaps, and partnerships that would inspire investor confidence.

Mr. John Jinapor, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Solomon Adjetey, the Chief Director of the Ministry, said Africa’s abundant renewable potential remained largely untapped despite holding 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources.

He noted that outdated grids, high financing costs, and widespread energy poverty continued to undermine development.

Mr. Jinapor urged African governments, private investors, and international partners to embrace bold strategies under the continent’s Energy Transition Framework, describing it as a roadmap to sustainable growth, energy security, and economic transformation.
He said the Ministry had outlined a comprehensive framework to attract private capital through incentives such as tax breaks, streamlined regulations, and the development of regional power pools.

The Minister highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and harmonized policies in lowering costs and expanding access, citing the African Continental Master Plan and partnerships like the EU-Africa Global Gateway, which aimed to mobilize €150 billion for green projects.
He called for integrating AI for grid optimization and exploring green hydrogen production, positioning Africa not only to meet its own energy needs but to become an exporter of clean fuels.