First Climate advises project developer, Wahu, in a Ghanaian-Swiss cooperation
First Climate is providing carbon management expertise to Wahu Mobility, an Accra-based climate action project implementer and owner, which manufactures and distributes eBikes for gig economy and commuters in Ghana. In accordance with a mandate from the Swiss KliK Foundation, which supports climate projects all over the world, First Climate’s role, among others, supports the Wahu project in getting the required governmental authorization to implement the low-carbon project.
The Wahu Mobility Project is an African startup which is determined to provide transport industry for commuters and gig economy workers across Ghana with an affordable, green mobility option with a fleet of low emission eBikes. Gig economy workers refers to the independent, freelance workers who take up short-term jobs, which is common practice in Ghana. First Climate is responsible for advising on the project’s carbon methodology, guiding the activities through the validation process, and reporting on the final outcomes, co-benefits, and impacts. While a pilot fleet of eBikes is already in operation in the capital city of Accra, Wahu has further plans build and distribute its fleet in other parts of the country. The eBikes, which will be subsidized through carbon finance, will be offered at reduced rates or “work and pay” models that are more affordable for end-users. They are expected to significantly replace fossil fuel-run motorcycles and reduce carbon emissions in the project area by more than 800,000 tCO2 over the project period.
Igniting access to sustainable mobility freedom
According to Ghana's national greenhouse gas inventory for 2021, the transport sector was the largest source of emissions in the country, with motorcycle transportation accounting for 12.6%. Environmentally friendly alternatives to the combustion engine are usually too expensive to be considered for widespread use. The is the reason Wahu developed this climate action project to replace fossil fueled vehicles with locally manufactured eBikes to be primarily used for gig economy jobs and fleet operators. Wahu’s eBikes can haul up to 200 kilograms of freight and travel up to 140 kilometers on a single charge. "In Accra's dynamic gig economy, we saw the need to provide fleet operators and suppliers with a reliable, sustainable means of transportation. Switching to electric bikes is an important contribution to a cleaner, greener future," explains Bernard Ayittah, ESG Manager at Wahu Mobility.
The Wahu eBike mobility project activities will include manufacturing and distributing more than 110,000 electric bicycles across Ghana by the end of 2030. Made primarily in Accra, the electric bicycles will be part of a growing transportation ecosystem, which has digital user-interface features to make it easier for riders to locate and access charging venues, schedule maintenance repairs, and navigate Accra’s dusty, urban terrain. The project is also working with a third-party provider to install renewable energy, specifically solar, power charging stations, replacing the still largely fossil-fuel based national power grid. Over the project lifetime, Wahu expects to support the generation of 200 new direct jobs, foster at least 50,000 gig worker positions.
Working bilaterally on climate goals
As part of its national climate targets, the Swiss KliK Foundation finances the development of climate mitigation activities in Ghana in conjunction with national collaboration with the Ghanian government and purchases the resulting emission certificates, known as internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs). These ITMOS – within the framework related to the Paris Agreement (Article 6.2) – are later transferred to Switzerland as part of its climate commitments. Wahu Mobility, as the program owner, will receive results-based financial support from KliK for the attained emission reductions associated with the mobility project.
First Climate’s role is focused on providing technical support with the application of the carbon methodology, including the phases from validation through to verification and credit issuance. Throughout the process, First Climate will assist Wahu with the completion of the validation and authorization process and support the international carbon credit transfer. Yves Keller, who heads First Climate’s Article 6 activities, goes on to say, "The Wahu concept has the potential to improve commuter transit in Ghana, which can be scaled and replicated in other countries with similar infrastructure. Carbon finance, through the structure of an Article 6 project, can play an integral part in enabling and scaling up such an activity. We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Wahu and supporting the project on all carbon aspects."
The Wahu Mobility project is a further example of First Climate’s support and development of international sustainability projects across the African continent. First Climate has developed a Blue Carbon removal project to replant mangrove forests in the Niger Delta. Also, the company has been working closely with its partners at Impact Water and Impact Carbon on safe water and cookstoves projects across the continent. And since January 2024, First Climate has been the exclusive carbon credit marketing partner of the Western Kenya Soil Carbon Project with local project partner, Soil Carbon Certification Services (SCCS). As First Climate continues to advise Wahu regarding the project methodology and its development, our editorial team will regularly provide updates and impressions on the ground.
For more information about First Climate’s role in this partnership, please contact us.
