Guinea's second national parliamentary workshop points the way from climate commitments to community-level delivery

Mrs Hadja Maïmouna Yombouno, 1st Vice-Speaker and Acting President of the National Transition Council

Parliamentarians, government representatives, investors and civil society gathered in Conakry on 8 and 9 July for Guinea's second National Parliamentary Workshop on the Energy Transition and Green Investment Dialogue, held under the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance (PCF) project.

Implemented by Climate Parliament in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the workshop focused on how Guinea can translate climate and energy ambitions into concrete, investment-ready projects with direct benefits for communities.

The workshop was formally opened by the interim President of the National Transition Council, a clear signal of the parliament's commitment to the energy transition. Participants included the Executive Secretary of Guinea's National Designated Authority to the GCF, the World Bank, the Guinean Rural Electrification Agency and representatives of the private sector, among them Niandan Corporation, whose contributions enriched discussions on financing mechanisms and mobilising private capital.

The opening ceremony underlined the strategic importance of parliamentary leadership in climate governance, the mobilisation of green investment and the transition from the vision of Green Energy Zones to the emergence of Green Energy Constituencies.

Building on the first national workshop in October 2025, which introduced the concept of Green Energy Zones, this second edition focused on the transition to Green Energy Constituencies. The aim is to root clean energy projects in local communities, connecting national policy to the realities of energy access, jobs, women's and young people's inclusion and climate resilience on the ground.

Group photo during the opening ceremony

A major outcome was the presentation of a national pipeline of low-carbon projects developed under the PCF project. The portfolio spans decarbonisation of industrial and mining value chains, decentralised electrification, agricultural transformation, sustainable cities, clean cooking, mangrove restoration and women's economic inclusion through green infrastructure. It is designed to connect Guinea's development priorities, including the Simandou 2040 vision and the country's Nationally Determined Contribution, with international climate finance.

The discussion highlighted the need to structure projects that are technically sound, financially credible, institutionally anchored and attractive to public, private and climate finance partners. Participants also discussed the importance of prioritising the most mature and high-impact projects for further preparation and financing.

A session led by the Guinean Rural Electrification Agency (AGER) drew particular interest, prompting extensive questions from National Councillors and private sector participants on the agency's studies, planned projects and financing needs. A further session on Green Energy Constituencies, led by Aimé Stéphane Mansaré of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, Research and Training, explored the role of MPs in identifying pilot constituencies and championing local energy initiatives.

Roundtable with donors and investors

A dedicated financing roundtable brought together donors, investors and institutional actors to discuss climate finance mechanisms, public-private partnerships, blended finance, investment opportunities and de-risking strategies. The session emphasised how public policy, fiscal incentives and budgetary instruments can help crowd in private and international climate finance. A panel discussion highlighted a critical issue facing Guinea. The country faces a lack of access to green finance. The panellists discussed the gap and solutions.

The results were very positive. More than 30 MPs have now been identified to take part in the project, a parliamentary steering committee is meeting regularly and policy notes have been produced to guide legislative work.

The workshop also confirmed strong institutional support for moving from dialogue to implementation, including the consolidation of the project pipeline, the identification of pilot Green Energy Constituencies and the strengthening of parliamentary follow-up on climate finance and green investment

Group photo

The first phase of the PCF project in Guinea concludes this month, with a full review planned to capture lessons and prepare for what comes next. Following the technical sessions, the workshop closed with a call to capitalise on the outcomes, consolidate the recommendations and maintain coordination between Parliament, government institutions, UNIDO, Climate Parliament, the private sector and financial partners. The next phase will focus on turning the workshop's conclusions into concrete action in selected territories.