Swisscontact – Who they are and what they do
Swisscontact is an independent development organisation that works to create opportunities for economic growth and improved livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries. Established over sixty years ago, the organisation supports sustainable development through programmes focused on skills development, enterprise promotion, financial inclusion and climate-resilient economic growth.
Operating across Africa, Asia and Latin America, Swisscontact works closely with governments, financial institutions, private sector actors and local communities to develop practical solutions that create lasting impact. The organisation places a strong emphasis on market-based approaches, recognising that sustainable development is most effective when communities, businesses and institutions are able to continue creating value long after external support has ended.
In Ghana, Swisscontact has developed extensive experience working within agricultural value chains, supporting smallholder farmers to improve productivity, build resilience to climate change and strengthen their economic opportunities. The organisation’s work combines technical expertise, local partnerships and innovative financing models to address some of the barriers that limit rural development.
Through its programmes, Swisscontact seeks to ensure that vulnerable communities are equipped not only with new technologies, but also with the knowledge, services and financial mechanisms needed to sustain long-term progress.
What NEF does with Swisscontact
NextEnergy Foundation is proud to begin a new partnership with Swisscontact through the Accelerating Solar Irrigation Opportunities (ASIO) project in Ghana. The initiative aims to improve climate resilience and agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers by making solar-powered irrigation systems more accessible through an innovative financing model.
Across many rural areas of Ghana, farmers continue to depend heavily on rainfall to grow their crops. As climate change contributes to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and prolonged dry periods, agricultural production becomes less reliable, affecting household incomes, food security and economic stability. For many farmers, access to irrigation could significantly improve productivity, but the upfront cost of equipment remains a major barrier.
The ASIO project addresses this challenge through a Pay-As-You-Grow financing model that enables farmers to access solar irrigation technology without the need for large upfront investments. By combining renewable energy, financial services and agricultural support, the project creates a pathway through which farmers can gradually become owners of solar-powered irrigation systems while increasing productivity and strengthening their resilience to climate-related shocks.
The initiative will focus particularly on smallholder farmers, including cocoa-growing communities, where reliable access to water can help improve yields, diversify agricultural production and reduce vulnerability to changing weather conditions. The model brings together multiple partners, including financial institutions and technology providers, to create a solution that can continue operating beyond the initial pilot phase.
For farming families, access to reliable irrigation can be transformative. It can allow crops to be cultivated beyond the rainy season, support more stable incomes and reduce the uncertainty that often accompanies agriculture in climate-vulnerable regions. Increased productivity can also generate wider benefits for local communities through improved food availability and stronger rural economies.
The project reflects NEF’s belief that renewable energy can play a vital role in addressing some of the most pressing development challenges facing communities around the world. In this case, solar energy is not simply providing power; it is creating opportunities for farmers to increase production, strengthen their livelihoods and adapt to a changing climate.
Through its partnership with Swisscontact, NextEnergy Foundation is supporting an innovative approach that combines clean energy, financial inclusion and climate resilience. By helping smallholder farmers access solar irrigation for the first time, the ASIO project aims to demonstrate how renewable energy can contribute to more productive, sustainable and resilient agricultural systems across Ghana.