Jospong Group, UN University forge green industrialization pact at COP30

GHANA – The Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate climate action, green industrialization, and SME empowerment across Africa.

The agreement was formalized on Monday on the sidelines of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, signaling a new model of collaboration that blends private-sector action with academic research.

The MoU was signed by Dr Glenn Kwabena Gyimah, General Manager of the Jospong Group’s Green Transition Office, and Professor Fatima Denton, Director of UNU-INRA.

Members of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science, and Innovation, led by Chairman Yaw Frimpong Addo, witnessed the ceremony.

Dr Gyimah described the partnership as a pivotal move in Jospong’s sustainability journey. “Sustainability is now a market that drives economies,” he said.

“This partnership will drive growth, investments, job creation, and global impact. The MoU is a privilege, and we look forward to delivering tangible outcomes.”

Professor Denton emphasized that the collaboration comes at a critical moment for Africa, where green businesses remain underdeveloped due to gaps in infrastructure, technology, and funding.

She stressed that UNU-INRA’s research capacity and Jospong’s action-oriented model provide a complementary framework for accelerating green transitions.

“We want decarbonization that’s fair and inclusive,” she noted, linking the initiative to broader COP30 negotiations on climate finance and technology transfer.

The partnership seeks to support waste-to-resource programmes, climate-smart agriculture, circular economy enterprises, and capacity-building for SMEs. It will also advance policy-relevant research to guide African governments in implementing equitable climate solutions.

Dr Adam Hamza, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Environment Committee, commended the agreement for bridging “the gap between theory and practice, academia and industry,” and pledged legislative support to ensure its success.

Dr Gloria Kusi Boamah, Senior Sustainability Officer at Jospong, said the MoU “symbolises a shared vision where research informs action and technology aligns with policy.”

The deal comes as African institutions intensify investments in climate resilience and the circular economy.

Last month, the African Development Bank announced new funding to support green SMEs under its Climate Action Window, while Kenya and Rwanda advanced national policies aimed at phasing out non-recyclable plastics.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Lagos State launched a public-private programme to scale composting and reduce landfill pressure.

The Jospong–UNU-INRA partnership marks another significant step toward a more integrated, data-driven, and inclusive green economy across the continent.

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