Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has received authorization from the Carbon Market Office (CMO) to operate as a licensed carbon credit broker in Ghana. This makes it one of a select group of institutions cleared to trade in the country’s regulated carbon market.
The certification allows Access Bank to facilitate and intermediate transactions in carbon credits, including Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). This new role positions the bank to connect buyers and sellers of carbon credits, brokering deals in both primary and secondary markets. The bank will also act as a market arranger, linking Ghanaian project developers to international buyers, carbon funds, and climate finance institutions.
This development is crucial for Ghana's economic and environmental landscape, as it supports the nation's commitment to a low-carbon economy. The license was granted under Ghana’s Framework for International Carbon Market and Non-Market Approaches and the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 2025 (Act 1124). This framework provides the regulatory backbone for a transparent and effective carbon market in the country. The growing demand for climate finance intermediation across Africa underscores the importance of such initiatives. Countries seek to monetize emission reductions and attract investment into clean energy, forestry, and agriculture projects.
Pearl Nkrumah, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, stated that the certification aligns with the bank’s broader sustainability agenda. She emphasized, “This certification affirms Access Bank's position as a trusted partner in Ghana's transition to a low-carbon economy.” Ms. Nkrumah added that the bank can now connect project developers, investors, and corporates to credible carbon market opportunities while upholding high standards of transparency and regulatory compliance. Priscilla Ashiam, Head of Public Sector and Sustainability, highlighted the significance for government institutions. She noted that this recognition positions Access Bank to support government agencies in structuring carbon transactions that align with national climate goals.
The bank will integrate these new carbon market services with its existing green loans, sustainability-linked lending, and transition finance products. This provides clients with an “end-to-end” pathway to decarbonization. The Ghana license extends Access Bank Group’s climate finance work across Africa. In 2019, Access Bank Plc in Nigeria became the first African corporate to receive Climate Bonds Initiative certification for a green bond. That bond raised N15 billion (Nigerian Naira) to fund low-carbon projects in manufacturing, transport, and agriculture. Access Bank Ghana will work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Carbon Market Office. This collaboration aims to help grow a well-regulated carbon market. It will also support public sector bodies and large corporates in meeting their decarbonization targets. This strategic move by Access Bank Ghana is expected to stimulate investment in sustainable projects. It will also enhance Ghana's participation in global efforts to combat climate change. The financial sector plays a vital role in mobilizing capital for green initiatives. This license empowers Access Bank to be a key facilitator in this critical area. It also signals Ghana's commitment to developing robust mechanisms for climate finance. This will attract further international investment into the country's green economy.