Green Light for Sustainable eBike Deployment in Ghana

Article 6.2 authorization from Switzerland and Ghana paves the way for implementation of First Climate-supported Wahu mobility program in Africa

Within the framework of one of the first bilateral agreements to advance under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, Ghana and Switzerland have now formally authorized the climate-friendly Wahu mobility program in Ghana. The authorization means that the program will be able to receive carbon finance to ramp up its eBike production and expand deployment.

© Wahu Mobility

This partnership between Switzerland and Ghana under Article 6.2 sets a precedent for future multinational collaboration on climate action. The stringent, bilateral framework of Article 6 prevents the “double counting” of carbon credits and also mandates rigorous reporting and transparency measures. The agreement between the Swiss and Ghanaian governments serves as an example of how developing carbon market mechanisms can foster collaboration between nations while ensuring environmental integrity.

“The authorization marks a crucial step for the Wahu program, highlighting the potential of market-based climate solutions to drive real-world impact. We are invigorated by this major step, which will allow the program to further scale up its activities. It sends a convincing signal to the global carbon market that Article 6 mechanisms are viable and ready to create effective climate action,” explains Yves Keller, Head of International Compliance & Community/Article 6.

#ChargedWithFreedom 

The Wahu Mobility eBike Program is an innovative initiative to bring sustainable mobility and transportation options that empowers gig economy workers across Ghana. The program developer, Wahu Mobility, designs and manufactures reliable and made-for-Africa electric bikes (eBikes) and developed an open e-mobility platform that connects the riders to businesses with delivery demands. The program aims to scale an e-mobility ecosystem for “last mile” delivery in Ghana to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and create resilient, green jobs. Coupled with a platform to locate sustainable charging options, the program will increase eBikes affordability and adoption, support the “last mile” of delivery, maximize carbon mitigation and contribute to a thriving environment for e-mobility in Ghana.

Thanks to the program’s sustainable fleet of eBikes, Wahu riders generate their own revenue streams as couriers, support low-emission mobility options, and avoid fossil fuel dependent transportation. In a niche currently dominated by men, the Wahu seeks to promote female driver participation in gig economy delivery and remove barriers specifically affecting women.

Together for the goals   

With both authorizations now in place, the expansion of the Wahu eBike program can scale-up and begin deploying an expected 100,000 eBikes in major cities and urban communities across Ghana. Whenever the Wahu eBikes are used, the related carbon emission reductions will generate ITMOs, or Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes. These are to be purchased by the Swiss-based KliK Foundation and will ultimately be transferred to Switzerland to help meet its climate targets. Specifically, under Switzerland's revised CO₂ Act, fuel importers are required to counteract a portion of the carbon emissions generated through the use of motor fuels in Switzerland. The KliK Foundation, which represents these fuel importers, manages this revised obligation. This innovative financing model enabled by Article 6, promises to help accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation, reducing emissions while promoting economic development. These bilateral activities demonstrate the effectiveness of Article 6 carbon projects.

What’s next?

Since the beginning, First Climate has had a pivotal role in Wahu’s  Article 6 program development by providing comprehensive technical support on structuring the MADD (Mitigation Activity Design Document), and guiding the program through key phases of validation, and the final authorization of the activity by both countries. First Climate will continue to provide Wahu Mobility with comprehensive technical support in navigating the complexities of international carbon credit transfers ensuring compliance with its monitoring requirements to achieve the issuance of ITMOs.