EfD Ghana researchers Wisdom Akpalu and Francis Atsu participated in a regional workshop on establishing a West African Carbon Market Platform, organized by the ECOWAS Commission as part of its efforts to advance the implementation of the Regional Climate Strategy.
The initiative aims to promote carbon credit trading and mobilize climate finance across West Africa. The dialogue brought together representatives from member states, regional institutions, development partners, and carbon market experts to discuss the design of a framework and roadmap for the proposed platform.
“Our participation in the ECOWAS regional workshop on the establishment of a West African Carbon Market Platform was a valuable learning and exchange opportunity, signaling the growing recognition of EfD Ghana’s strides in voluntary carbon market and climate finance research,” said Wisdom Akpalu.
He noted that the workshop provided a platform to share EfD Ghana’s ongoing work, learn from others, and strengthen regional collaboration toward effective carbon market strategies.
EfD Ghana’s participation aligns with its ongoing multi-country research project on Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs), launched in December 2024. The project seeks to support developing countries -- including Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Morocco -- in harnessing VCMs for climate and development objectives.
The ECOWAS regional workshop was held from 16–18 September 2025 in Accra and provided a timely platform for EfD Ghana to contribute research-based insights while reinforcing its role in promoting evidence-driven approaches to climate action and sustainable carbon market development in Africa.