Gov’t to Roll Out Solar-Powered Irrigation Pumps Nationwide

Government has announced plans to deploy solar-powered irrigation pumps nationwide as part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.

Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, revealed this at the seventh meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for Africa.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Jinapor explained that the initiative will enable farmers to cultivate all year round, especially in areas where long dry seasons limit agricultural activity.

“For some parts of the country, during the dry season lasting up to six months, farmers have virtually nothing to do because they depend on rain-fed agriculture. By installing solar irrigation pumps, Ghanaians will be able to engage in productive farming all year round,” he said.

The minister added that Ghana is collaborating with India, which has successfully pioneered the technology, and has already signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to facilitate deployment.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the International Solar Alliance, Ashish Khanna, announced the launch of a $200 million African Solar Facility (ASF) to accelerate the adoption of solar solutions across the continent. The facility will begin with an initial $75 million before the end of 2025, expected to leverage over $800 million in private sector renewable energy investments, starting with Nigeria.

The Ministerial Session on the ASF emphasized the need to de-risk solar investments, strengthen local financing, and ensure project bankability through transparent procurement, secure payment systems, and public-private partnerships.

The ASF is expected to serve as a critical financing instrument for scaling up sustainable solar projects across Africa, advancing ISA’s vision of shifting from ambition to action through country-led implementation.