Energy solutions think-tank, The Electricity Hub (TEH) has concluded its participation at the 2024 Future of Energy Conference (FEC) in Ghana, where its energy experts stressed the positive impact electric vehicles (e-mobility) in West Africa will have on tackling the menace of climate change.

The African Climate Foundation (ACF), sponsored TEH’s participation at the conference, organised by the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), at Alabadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

It was an opportunity to key into the ACF’s mandate to support stakeholder convenings to unlock African climate action, said a statement issued by the The Electricity Hub, a subsidiary of Nextier.

TEH thus hosted a side-event, titled “Accelerating Sustainable Mobility: The Future of Electric Two- and Three-Wheelers in West Africa,” which brought together key stakeholders to discuss the region’s electric vehicle (EV) transition, focusing on two- and three-wheelers.

The event featured prominent speakers, including Doris Agbevivi, Assistant Manager, Energy Efficiency and Coordinator of the Drive Electric Initiative at the Energy Commission of Ghana; Quincy Agyapong, Product Manager at WAHU E-Bike Company; Godwin Kafui Kwesi Ayetor, Sales Executive at Enterprise Group Ghana; and Dr. David Ato Quansah, Director of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

In her opening remarks, Doris Agbevivi emphasized Ghana’s commitment to meeting its climate and energy transition targets, noting that transport electrification is a key element in reducing carbon emissions. She highlighted the importance of a gradual but decisive shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric alternatives, aligning with Ghana’s broader energy transition goals.

“Ghana’s energy transition plan outlines the steps for incorporating electric vehicle (EV) transportation alongside clean energy production. However, it is essential that we consider the fate of ICE vehicles and how the market will react to these changes,” Agbevivi stated.

She also pointed out the critical need for the country to develop local battery production and assembly capabilities for two- and three-wheelers to ensure sustainability and affordability.

Quincy Agyapong stressed the role of the private sector in driving EV adoption, while the government provides an enabling environment through frameworks and standards.

He also called for proactive industrial policies to ensure the timely implementation of EV projects, noting that “government plans often stall between announcement and execution without aggressive industry support.”

Agyapong further advocated for increased collaboration between academic institutions and industry to bridge the gap in practical knowledge and skills development even as he emphasized the need for technical and tertiary institutions to be equipped with resources to prepare students for active roles in the emerging EV industry.

Agyapong also recommended introducing procurement policies that prioritize locally manufactured EV equipment. He argued that this would enable local industries to penetrate the market, enhance business cases, and attract additional funding. He compared global leaders such as the U.S., China, and Norway, where fiscal incentives like tax exemptions and free public charging have significantly boosted EV adoption.

Godwin Kafui Kwesi Ayetor emphasized the importance of setting standards for EV imports, particularly for two- and three-wheelers, to ensure the longevity and reliability of these vehicles in the African market.

He noted that Ghana’s EV policy is one of the most advanced on the continent, but implementation gaps, especially in enforcing standards for used vehicles, remain a significant challenge.

“Africa needs to maintain confidence in electric vehicles by ensuring that only high-quality, reliable EVs are allowed into the market,” Ayetor said, urging for stricter oversight on battery life cycles and charging infrastructure to avoid compromising the transition.

The side event concluded with a call to action for the private sector and government to work together to develop the necessary infrastructure and policies for sustainable mobility.

The speakers agreed that accelerating the adoption of electric two- and three-wheelers in West Africa is a critical step toward reducing emissions and achieving the region’s climate goals.