PurposeWhile there is a growing pool of literature on the drivers of adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices, the literature has not properly explored the role of green capabilities as drivers of GSCM adoption. This study aims to examine four green capabilities (green supplier development, green marketing, green manufacturing and packaging and environmental participation) as the drivers of GSCM adoption.Design/methodology/approachThe study develops and empirically tests a research model which explores the effect of green capabilities on GSCM adoption. A survey of 200 manufacturing and extractive firms operating in Ghana was conducted, with 94 usable responses obtained. The research model was analyzed by using partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results revealed that green supplier development capabilities and environmental participation capabilities had positive and significant effects on GSCM adoption. Green marketing capabilities had a positive but weak effect on GSCM adoption. Green manufacturing and packaging capabilities, however, did not significantly impact GSCM adoption.Originality/valueTo the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study that empirically examines green capabilities as drivers of GSCM adoption.