Sweden's Electric Moped Climate Aid in Ghana Sparks Political and Financial Controversy

Sweden's investment of approximately 100-109 million kronor in introducing 48,500 electric mopeds to Ghana, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 250,000 tons, has come under fierce scrutiny from both political leaders and experts. The initiative, intended to aid Swedish climate goals by replacing fossil-fueled mopeds in Ghana, is triggered by concerns over financial transparency and political associations linked to the project.

Experts have raised alarms about the involvement of Yango, a company with ties to the Russian tech giant Yandex and by extension potential Kremlin connections, questioning the flow of funds and whether the project primarily benefits private corporate interests rather than genuine climate objectives. Benedict Probst from the Max Planck Institute highlighted the need for transparency to ensure public funds do not inadvertently support entities counterproductive to climate goals. Furthermore, local companies like Yango and Bolt, active in Ghana's gig economy, appear financially capable of procuring electric mopeds independently, suggesting the subsidy may largely support corporate profits.

The political backlash in Sweden has been significant. Anna-Karin Hatt of Centerpartiet labeled the project "climate colonialism," asserting a preference for domestic emissions reductions over international investments. Sverigedemokraterna leader Jimmie Åkesson called the initiative "absurd," questioning its rationale. Daniel Helldén from Miljöpartiet echoed these concerns, condemning Russian involvement, while Socialdemokraterna's Magdalena Andersson urged closer examination of the project’s merits. Vice Prime Minister Ebba Busch defended the government's ongoing monitoring of aid but refrained from commenting in detail.

Delays and operational challenges add further complexity to the initiative, implemented through a Swiss consulting firm and involving Ghanaian company Solar Taxi. The political and expert critiques suggest the need for urgent reviews to assess the efficacy and governance of Sweden’s climate aid program in Ghana.