GIIF secures Green Climate Fund accreditation to unlock climate finance for Ghana

The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) has secured accreditation as a National Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), following approval by the GCF Board at its 46th meeting in Songdo, Republic of Korea.

The milestone positions GIIF to access and deploy international climate finance directly towards eligible climate-resilient and low-emission infrastructure projects in Ghana.

The accreditation represents a significant achievement for GIIF and an important development for Ghana's green infrastructure financing landscape. It demonstrates the Fund's ability to meet the rigorous institutional, governance, fiduciary and environmental and social safeguards requirements of the world's largest dedicated climate fund for developing countries.

Through this accreditation, GIIF can develop and submit funding proposals directly to the GCF without an intermediary. It also provides access to the Fund's financing instruments, including grants and concessional loans, subject to eligibility requirements and project approval processes.

The accreditation creates opportunities to mobilise resources for climate-resilient and low-emission infrastructure across priority sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable transport, nature-based solutions, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient health and social infrastructure.

These investments will support Ghana's broader development priorities and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Commenting on the achievement, Nana Dwemoh Benneh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, said:

“We are delighted to have achieved this important milestone. Accredited Entities play a critical role in channelling climate finance to developing countries to address their national mitigation and adaptation priorities, while ensuring projects meet the Green Climate Fund's rigorous standards and safeguards.

"This accreditation opens up significant opportunities for GIIF and Ghana to pursue catalytic climate financing for infrastructure projects that advance our national development agenda. It reflects our commitment to strengthening sustainable infrastructure investment and mobilising the resources required to support a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy.

"Our existing relationships with global partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and FSD Africa, have been instrumental in strengthening the Fund's institutional capacity and supporting our journey towards direct access accreditation.

"We are grateful to the Government of Ghana, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of State in Charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, our Board, Management and staff, and all our partners for their invaluable support.”

Kwadwo Kwakye Gyan, who leads GIIF's climate and sustainability efforts, highlighted the practical implications of the accreditation, noting that it strengthens the Fund's ability to pursue climate financing opportunities directly.

He said, “This accreditation gives GIIF the ability to develop and submit funding proposals directly to the Green Climate Fund, without going through an intermediary.

"It also provides access to a range of financing instruments, including grants and concessional loans, which can be deployed towards eligible climate-related investments.

"Our focus is now on identifying and developing bankable projects that respond to Ghana's climate and infrastructure priorities. We are poised to support the delivery of climate-resilient, low-carbon infrastructure that contributes to the country's development objectives and commitments under the Paris Agreement.”

The Green Climate Fund also welcomed the accreditation, recognising GIIF's potential to advance sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure investment in Ghana and across Africa.

Achala Abeysinghe, Director of the Green Climate Fund's Department of Investment Services, said: “The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund joins GCF as an important national partner for advancing sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure in Africa. Its accreditation creates new opportunities to mobilise finance for Ghana's climate priorities.

"GCF is committed to partnering with national investment institutions that can translate country priorities into investable solutions and attract additional capital for climate action at scale.”

The accreditation builds on GIIF's institutional development and strategic partnerships with international development and climate-focused organisations.

These relationships have strengthened the Fund's capacity to meet international standards and position it as a national institution capable of mobilising resources for sustainable infrastructure development.

For Ghana, the achievement strengthens the country's institutional capacity to pursue international climate finance through a national investment institution. It also creates opportunities to attract additional public and private capital towards infrastructure investments that address climate-related risks, support economic productivity and contribute to long-term national resilience.

GIIF looks forward to working closely with the Green Climate Fund, the Government of Ghana, development partners and private sector stakeholders to translate this accreditation into tangible climate investment opportunities and transformative infrastructure outcomes for the country.