Access Bank Ghana has secured certification from the Carbon Market Office (CMO) to operate as a carbon credit broker. This authorisation allows the bank to facilitate and intermediate transactions involving carbon credits within Ghana’s regulated market. The certification aligns with Ghana's Framework for International Carbon Market and Non-Market Approaches.
This new role permits Access Bank to connect buyers and sellers of carbon credits, including Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). The bank will also broker transactions in both primary and secondary carbon markets. This development positions Access Bank to link Ghanaian project developers with international buyers and climate finance institutions. It also enables the bank to offer carbon market advisory services.
Ghana's economy is increasingly focused on sustainable development and climate finance. This certification places Access Bank among a select group of institutions authorised to participate in the nation's carbon market. The move supports Ghana's broader climate goals and its commitment to a low-carbon economy. It also addresses the growing demand for climate finance intermediation across Africa.
Pearl Nkrumah, Managing Director of Access Bank, stated, “This certification affirms Access Bank's position as a trusted partner in Ghana's transition to a low-carbon economy.” She added that the bank will connect developers, investors, and corporates with credible carbon market opportunities. Priscilla Ashiam, Head of Public Sector and Sustainability, highlighted the importance for the public sector. She noted that decarbonisation commitments require credible access to carbon markets.
This certification will enable Access Bank to combine its new capabilities with existing green loans and sustainability-linked lending solutions. This offers clients an integrated pathway to decarbonisation. The bank will support government agencies and state institutions in structuring carbon transactions. This ensures alignment with national climate goals and regulatory compliance. The certification builds on Access Bank Group's established record in mobilising climate capital across Africa. For example, Access Bank Plc in Nigeria issued a N15 billion (US$41 million) green bond in 2019. This financed low-carbon projects in manufacturing, transport, and agriculture. Ghana's new certification extends this leadership into carbon markets. It reinforces the Group's position in climate finance innovation on the continent. The bank will continue to collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Carbon Market Office. This partnership aims to support the growth of a well-regulated carbon market in Ghana.