Rwanda to Host Carbon Markets Africa Summit as Continent Seeks to Unlock Climate Finance
KIGALI, Rwanda — Africa’s carbon markets are entering a new phase as governments strengthen regulatory frameworks, investors seek credible projects and countries look to attract more climate finance for sustainable development.
These issues will take centre stage at the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026, scheduled for 13–15 October 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together policymakers, investors, carbon project developers, corporate buyers and market leaders from Africa and beyond.
The summit comes as African countries move from developing carbon-market frameworks towards implementing projects and facilitating transactions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Across the continent, governments and institutions are increasingly working to establish the systems needed to build credible carbon markets. The African Union is implementing its Africa Action Plan on Carbon Markets, while countries including Ghana are developing Article 6 project pipelines and authorisation systems.
At the same time, AUDA-NEPAD’s African Principles for Equity and Integrity in Carbon Markets are placing greater emphasis on governance, transparency, community benefit-sharing and market confidence.
From policy to investment
The next challenge, however, is turning these frameworks into functioning markets capable of attracting investment.
Investors and carbon buyers are increasingly assessing projects based on factors such as environmental integrity, credible measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), regulatory compliance, transaction certainty and the strength of underlying projects.
For African projects to attract larger volumes of climate finance, they will need access to appropriate capital, buyers, standards, market infrastructure and institutional support.
CMAS 2026 will seek to bring these different actors together.
The summit is hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Rwanda, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) serving as host organisations. The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is the host partner, while AUDA-NEPAD is the strategic institutional partner.
The network supporting the summit also includes GIZ, BeZero Carbon, Welthungerhilfe, FSD Africa, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Carbon Standards International, alongside governments, financiers, standards organisations, ratings agencies and carbon project developers.
Focus on market integrity and bankability
The three-day summit will examine how carbon markets can move from policy development to actual transactions.
Discussions will cover Article 6, CORSIA, voluntary carbon markets, carbon offtake, MRV, ratings, policy readiness, regional market alignment and carbon finance.
Participants will also examine how projects can become more bankable, insurable and verifiable, as well as how Africa can strengthen its capacity for measurement, reporting, verification and validation.
Other issues on the agenda include private capital de-risking, authorisation systems, registry interoperability and the development of regional carbon-market infrastructure.
More than 10 African governments and over 20 investors and financiers are expected to be represented, alongside international institutions including the UNFCCC and the European Commission.
The programme will feature high-level leadership discussions, investor and buyer roundtables, project showcases, technical workshops, solution labs and dedicated deal rooms.
Nature-based projects in focus
A UNEP-hosted Nature Deal Room will provide a platform for African governments, investors, corporate buyers, standards bodies and market intermediaries to explore high-integrity nature-based carbon transactions.
The growing interest in Africa reflects the continent’s significant natural resources and potential to develop carbon projects while supporting wider development priorities.
Shikha Sharma, Global Technical Lead – Offsets & Removals at SGS, said Africa could play a major role in shaping the future of global carbon markets if it strengthens governance, builds local capacity and maintains high standards of integrity.
“If Africa gets governance right, invests in local capabilities and keeps integrity at the centre, it won’t just supply the market. It will influence how the market operates globally.”
For UNDP, the carbon-market opportunity extends beyond emissions reduction and carbon credits.
Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, Resident Representative of UNDP Rwanda, said carbon markets can help mobilise finance for national priorities while supporting jobs, livelihoods and sustainable development.
“The task before us in Kigali is to build markets that are credible, investable, and designed to deliver real value for African countries and communities.”
Kigali meeting seeks practical action
Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director, said collaboration among governments, investors, project developers and the private sector will be critical as Africa’s carbon markets develop.
She said CMAS 2026 is intended to create a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and accelerate practical action.
With governments strengthening policies and investors seeking credible opportunities, the Kigali summit is expected to focus on a central question: how can Africa translate its growing carbon-market potential into investment, climate action and tangible benefits for communities?
As the continent moves from carbon-market readiness towards implementation, the outcome of these discussions could help shape how Africa participates in the emerging global climate-finance economy.
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