The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission held a regional workshop from September 16 to 18, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, focused on the creation of a carbon market platform for West Africa. The event was organized by the Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture as part of the implementation of the Regional Climate Strategy.
The workshop aimed to discuss opportunities related to establishing a regional carbon market, foster a shared understanding among participants, review draft documents for the initiative, and adopt a roadmap outlining next steps and roles for key actors.
During his opening remarks, Mr. Yao Bernard KOFFI, Acting Director of Environment and Natural Resources speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, stated: “this process aims to seize opportunities for mobilizing financing linked to carbon credit transactions in West Africa; the carbon market being one of the financial instruments within the framework of the Paris Agreement.” He encouraged experts and representatives from member states to actively support this effort.
Professor Nana Ama Klutse, Executive Director of Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority and representative for the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation at the ceremony’s opening session, welcomed ECOWAS’s initiative and Ghana’s selection as host country. Professor Klutse noted her country’s progress in setting up institutional and regulatory frameworks to participate effectively in carbon market mechanisms. She emphasized: “She called for collective action and regional solidarity, hence the relevance of this process launched by the ECOWAS Commission.”
The workshop included presentations on topics such as analysis of current market conditions in West Africa, an overview of global carbon credit markets, characteristics defining high-quality carbon credits, and review of a draft framework document for creating an ECOWAS carbon market platform.
By conclusion, experts validated—pending further input—a draft framework document establishing a regional platform. A roadmap was also adopted detailing future actions. Recommendations from participants included involving all member states in finalizing platform design through additional meetings—both physical gatherings for validation and online sessions at least twice yearly—to ensure ongoing contributions regarding emerging issues. Member states were also urged to respond promptly with input during development stages.
Attendees comprised representatives from member states; specialists in carbon markets; international technical and financial partners such as Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings, BeZero Carbon, Environment for Development , Africa Energy Transition Services; along with organizations like UEMOA Commission, BIDC, WAPP, ARAA , and the West African Alliance on Carbon Market and Climate Finance.