Jospong, ISA deepen talks on solar energy, green jobs and climate-smart agriculture

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) are deepening their discussions at the COP31 conference in Antalya, Türkiye, to explore a strategic partnership focused on solar energy, green jobs, and climate-smart agriculture. This proposed collaboration aims to leverage ISA's technical expertise and financing opportunities alongside JGC's extensive presence across Africa to develop sustainable solar energy solutions for various sectors.

The International Solar Alliance presented a comprehensive solarisation roadmap to JGC at COP31, highlighting the urgent need to address Africa's energy access challenges. Currently, approximately 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, despite the continent's vast renewable energy potential. Africa accounts for only about 1% of global solar photovoltaic capacity, while receiving a small fraction of the US$521 billion invested in renewable energy worldwide in 2024.

The proposed partnership focuses on four key areas: establishing a Solar Academy to train young Africans in solar technology; unlocking climate-smart agricultural financing for solar-powered irrigation; facilitating the transfer of modern solar technologies and technical knowledge; and solarising JGC's 36 waste treatment plants in Ghana as a flagship project.

The solarisation of these plants aims to reduce operational dependence on fossil fuels, improve energy security, and lower the carbon footprint of Jospong's waste management operations.

Dr. Glenn Kwabenah Gyimah, Jospong's General Manager of the Green Transition Office, welcomed the roadmap and reaffirmed the Group's commitment to renewable energy investments across Africa. He emphasized that the partnership aligns with Jospong's green transition strategy and could help integrate renewable energy into the company's operations while supporting Africa's broader climate action and sustainable development goals.