KIGALI, Rwanda, October 16 — African governments and climate delegates gathered in Kigali this week to press for carbon markets that are designed by Africans and deliver tangible benefits to the continent, marking a shift from framework-setting toward implementation.
The Carbon Markets Africa Summit 2026, held October 13–15 in the Rwandan capital, drew participants from 24 African nations and 45 countries worldwide, convening more than 500 policymakers, investors, carbon-credit buyers and project developers. Hosted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment with the United Nations Development Programme and the African Development Bank, the gathering focused on turning international interest in carbon markets into investment that supports climate action and local communities.
Rwandan Minister of Environment Bernadette Arakwiye called on participants to strengthen partnerships and “amplify Africa’s collective voice in global carbon market discussions,” arguing that the continent should develop markets reflecting its own ambitions rather than external prescriptions.
Tanzania’s Minister of State Hamad Yussuf Masauni urged practical action to move beyond policy debate into execution, positioning Africa as a global leader in building credible, inclusive carbon markets. Maxwell Gomera, the UNDP resident representative in South Africa, stressed that revenues must reach the communities whose land and labor make carbon projects possible.
The emphasis on ownership reflects a broader tension: Africa holds vast potential for emissions reductions and removals, but converting that into viable projects requires financing, technical capacity and dependable standards. Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, international carbon-market rules are still being finalized, leaving African countries determined to shape pricing, verification and benefit-sharing rather than merely supply credits to foreign buyers.
For Nigeria’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance, Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, the summit represents “continental ownership in driving the future of carbon markets shaped by Africans, for the benefit of Africa.”
Delegates left Kigali with a shared aim: build a market that attracts capital, rewards integrity and ensures value reaches the countries and communities delivering climate impact.