Africa’s carbon markets are poised to transform not only the continent’s future, but the global fight against climate change. Yet, as leaders gather for the Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2), Africa’s achievements and leadership in this arena are too often treated as an afterthought. That attitude isn’t just unfair — it is a costly strategic mistake for a continent that is home to 12 of the 20 fastest growing economies on the planet. Africa is home to 17% of the world’s forests, 60% of uncultivated arable land, and immense renewable energy potential and the bulk of key critical materials. If harnessed and enabled through well-designed carbon markets, these resources could deliver gigaton-scale emissions reductions, while simultaneously channeling billions of dollars into rural economies, strengthening biodiversity, empowering women, and boosting food security. The world ignores this opportunity at its own peril.
Africa Is Already Leading
In just the last three years, the continent has demonstrated remarkable climate innovation. Nigeria issued Africa’s first sovereign carbon credit, setting a precedent for climate finance across the region. Kenya introduced one of the world’s most progressive frameworks for carbon rights and equitable revenue sharing, ensuring that local communities are true stakeholders in the process. Gabon safeguarded more than 88 percent of its forest cover under a rigorous carbon strategy, proving that large-scale conservation is within reach. Ghana and Mozambique piloted jurisdictional REDD+ projects with international buyers, advancing scalable models for forest carbon finance. And through the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI), which we helped establish, the continent has set a bold 2030 target of issuing 300 million high-integrity credits annually — unlocking an estimated six billion dollars in revenue and creating 30 million jobs.
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Funders are responding to Africa’s momentum. In Kenya, Verst Carbon, working with the Ministry of Environment and Germany’s GIZ, is building one of Africa’s first national carbon registries. West African reforestation initiatives have restored tens of thousands of hectares, generating internationally traded credits. In Southern Africa, clean cooking programs have cut millions of tons of emissions and improved health for women and children. is the CEO and Founder of the Africa Climate and Energy Nexus (AfCEN), an Africa-led platform driving climate-positive growth. He served as CEO of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in 2023, positioning Africa as a global solutions hub in the climate discourse.
Daniel M Kammen is the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Energy and Climate Justice at Johns Hopkins University. He served as Science Envoy in the Obama Administration and is a member of the U. S. National Academy of Science.