Fidelity Bank Ghana has called for bold, sustained reforms and disciplined investment to address the structural challenges undermining Ghana’s energy sector, describing the issue as a national imperative that requires immediate action.
Speaking at the B&FT Thought Leadership Series Energy Roundtable in Accra, Atta Yeboah Gyan, Deputy Managing Director for Operations and Support Functions at Fidelity Bank, said stabilizing Ghana’s power system is no longer optional, it is essential for the nation’s future growth and competitiveness.
Themed “Powering Ghana Forward: Strategizing for a Self-Sustaining and Resilient Power Sector in 10 Years,” the event gathered key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to deliberate on sustainable pathways for Ghana’s energy transition.
Addressing participants, Mr. Gyan described the energy sector as both a symbol of progress and a reflection of strain, burdened by over US$3 billion in legacy debt and persistent liquidity challenges.
“If we are to be honest with ourselves, Ghana’s power sector stands today as both an emblem of progress and a mirror of strain,” he said. “What Ghana’s power ecosystem needs today is not more temporary fixes, but sustainable financing structures underpinned by transparency, innovation, and collaboration.”
Legacy Debt, Weak Tariffs, and Policy Gaps
Mr. Gyan identified a cycle of inefficiencies, including delayed tariff adjustments, non-payment by public entities, and the depreciation of the Cedi, as key contributors to the sector’s ongoing challenges.
He explained that these issues inflate energy costs, weaken investor confidence, and limit the ability of utilities to invest in maintenance and expansion.
He emphasized that the challenge is not just about generation capacity, but about capital discipline, governance, and transparency across the energy value chain.
Drawing from Fidelity Bank’s extensive experience in corporate and project finance, Mr. Gyan highlighted the Bank’s contribution to stabilizing the energy sector through ESLA Bonds and other structured financing initiatives.
He, however, cautioned that such interventions, while helpful, are temporary relief measures and must evolve into long-term, data-driven financing frameworks.
“The financial sector’s involvement in energy reform is as much about governance and discipline as it is about funding,” he noted. “We must ensure that capital is not just available, but also used efficiently and transparently.”
Mr. Gyan called for deeper collaboration between financial institutions, policymakers, and energy operators to create a power ecosystem that serves both consumers and investors.
He outlined several priorities for action, including:
- Expanding investment in renewable and hybrid systems
- Accelerating digitization of billing and collection systems
- Rolling out smart metering nationwide to reduce revenue losses
- Establishing cost-reflective tariff frameworks that build investor confidence
“Digitization and data transparency must be prioritized to build trust across the value chain,” he said. “Equally important is the establishment of clear, cost-reflective pricing frameworks that give investors and financiers the confidence to commit long-term capital.”
Reaffirming Fidelity Bank’s leadership in sustainable finance, Mr. Gyan announced that the Bank is aligning its financial framework to actively support Ghana’s clean energy transition.
The Bank has already introduced renewable asset financing products to help individuals and businesses adopt clean energy solutions. It is also exploring green bonds, blended capital, and ESG-linked instruments to attract investment and strengthen local energy enterprises.
“The challenges before us are complex, but not insurmountable,” Mr. Gyan said. “At Fidelity Bank, we remain committed to walking this journey with Ghana to power homes and industries, but, more importantly, to power confidence, productivity, and growth.”
The 2025 Energy Roundtable brought together policymakers, energy producers, regulators, financiers, and development partners to explore financing strategies for a self-sustaining power sector over the next decade.
Participants agreed that solving Ghana’s power crisis will require policy alignment, private-sector participation, and disciplined capital deployment pillars that Fidelity Bank says it remains ready to support.
