Policy Fragmentation Slows EV Entrepreneurship – Koranteng Advocates Nationwide Business Leader

Introduction

In December 2025, Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, a mining and technology marketing consultant and former Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), delivered a compelling keynote at the ERA E-Mobility Conference in Accra. His central message: Ghana’s transition to sustainable mobility is being slowed by policy fragmentation, and urgent action is needed to establish a unified, nationwide electric vehicle (EV) policy. Without coordinated leadership and a clear regulatory framework, stakeholders remain disconnected, investment hesitates, and the full economic and environmental benefits of electrified transport remain out of reach.

This call to action resonates across Africa and emerging markets where governments are balancing mineral wealth, industrial ambitions, and the global shift toward clean transportation. This article unpacks Koranteng’s recommendations, examines the context of EV policy fragmentation in Ghana, and offers practical steps for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to accelerate EV entrepreneurship through nationally aligned strategies.

Key Points

Background

Why EV Policy Fragmentation Matters

Electric vehicle adoption is not just about replacing internal combustion engines with batteries. It requires a complex ecosystem of charging infrastructure, grid integration, fiscal incentives, consumer financing, standards and regulations, and industrial support. When these elements are not coordinated, the result is inefficiency, duplicated efforts, and lost opportunities.

In Ghana, the Ministry of Transport sets vehicle standards, the Energy Commission oversees grid planning, electricity distributors (ECG, NEDCo) manage local supply, and private firms develop charging solutions. Without a central EV policy body, each entity acts independently, creating uncertainty for investors and entrepreneurs.

Ghana’s Strategic Position in the EV Value Chain

Ghana is rich in key minerals for batteries—lithium, manganese, and cobalt—and has launched initiatives like the Ghana Automotive Development Policy to grow local assembly and manufacturing. However, turning mineral resources into value-added industries requires a domestic market for EVs and a clear, long-term policy signal. Policy fragmentation prevents this linkage from forming effectively.

Global Lessons: Norway’s Success Story

Norway leads the world in EV adoption, with over 80% of new car sales being electric. This success stems from decades of coordinated policy: consistent tax exemptions, toll and parking benefits, extensive charging networks, and strong public messaging. Crucially, Norway avoided fragmentation by aligning transport, energy, and fiscal policies under a unified national strategy.

Analysis

The Cost of Fragmentation

Fragmented EV policy creates several tangible costs:

• Investor Uncertainty: Without predictable pricing and standards, private capital hesitates to fund charging stations or assembly plants.
• Inefficient Infrastructure: Uncoordinated charging networks lead to gaps in coverage and underutilized assets.
• Higher Consumer Costs: High import duties and taxes make EVs unaffordable for most households.
• Missed Industrial Opportunities: Without a domestic demand signal, local manufacturing and battery assembly remain underdeveloped.

What a Unified EV Policy Could Achieve

A nationally aligned EV policy can transform the landscape by:

• Reducing transaction costs for businesses through standardized regulations.
• Creating a predictable investment climate for charging infrastructure and fleet operators.
• Stimulating consumer demand via targeted incentives and lower upfront costs.
• Linking upstream mineral processing to downstream assembly and recycling.
• Positioning Ghana as a regional hub for West African EV markets.

Policy Harmonization vs. Sectoral Silos

Harmonization does not mean centralization. It means aligning goals and timelines across sectors. For example, the Energy Commission’s grid expansion plans should anticipate EV load growth, while the Ministry of Transport’s vehicle standards should align with charging infrastructure rollouts. A cross-ministerial EV task force could facilitate this coordination.

Economic and Environmental Co-Benefits

Beyond entrepreneurship, a unified EV policy delivers broader benefits: reduced urban air pollution, lower fuel import bills, improved energy security through renewable integration, and job creation in green manufacturing and services. Studies show that every EV-related job created can generate up to three indirect jobs in logistics, training, and maintenance.

Practical Advice

For Policymakers

1. Establish a National EV Task Force: Create a high-level, cross-sectoral body to oversee policy design and implementation.
2. Adopt a 10-Year EV Roadmap: Set clear, measurable targets for EV adoption, charging points, and local content.
3. Harmonize Energy Pricing: Introduce time-of-use tariffs and dedicated EV rates to encourage off-peak charging.
4. Lower Import Barriers: Reduce EV import duties to 15% and eliminate taxes on critical components like batteries.
5. Incentivize Public Fleets: Mandate and fund the transition of public buses, taxis, and government vehicles to electric.
6. Designate EV Commercial Zones: Offer tax breaks and streamlined permits in industrial parks for EV assembly and battery manufacturing.

For Entrepreneurs and Investors

1. Engage Early with Regulators: Participate in policy consultations and industry associations to shape standards.
2. Focus on Scalable Models: Prioritize modular charging solutions and fleet services that can grow with the market.
3. Partner with Utilities: Collaborate with ECG and NEDCo on grid integration and demand management.
4. Target Public Procurement: Prepare bids for electric public transport contracts under new incentive programs.
5. Build Local Capacity: Train technicians and service providers to reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

For Civil Society and Academia

1. Promote Public Awareness: Educate consumers on EV benefits, costs, and charging options.
2. Monitor Policy Implementation: Track progress against EV targets and report on gaps.
3. Support Skills Development: Launch certification programs for EV maintenance and battery safety.

FAQ

Conclusion

Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng’s call for a unified, nationwide EV policy is both timely and strategic. Policy fragmentation is not just an administrative inconvenience—it is a barrier to economic transformation, environmental sustainability, and technological sovereignty. By harmonizing energy pricing, setting clear charging standards, reducing import barriers, and aligning industrial incentives, Ghana can turn its mineral wealth and entrepreneurial energy into a thriving EV ecosystem.

The benefits extend beyond transportation: a coherent EV policy can catalyze job creation, reduce fuel imports, improve air quality, and position Ghana as a leader in Africa’s sustainable mobility future. The time to act is now. Stakeholders across government, business, and civil society must collaborate to build a policy framework that is predictable, inclusive, and forward-looking. Only then can Ghana fully capture the long-term economic and technological advantages of the global shift to electrified transport.