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By Christophe Uwizeyimana
Rwanda will host more than 50 investors, carbon credit buyers and financiers alongside over 40 carbon project developers at the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026, as African countries seek to attract climate finance and ensure local communities benefit from the growing carbon market.
The three-day summit, scheduled for October 13–15 at the Kigali Convention Centre, will bring together more than 100 speakers, representatives from 45 countries, including 24 African nations, and 20 African governments to explore investment opportunities and strengthen partnerships across the continent’s carbon markets.
Hosted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment, the summit comes at a time when international carbon market rules and standards are evolving, creating opportunities for African countries to attract investment in projects that support climate action and economic development.
Discussions will focus on identifying emerging climate investment opportunities, connecting African project developers with international investors and buyers, and ensuring that carbon market activities deliver tangible economic and community benefits. For African countries, the challenge extends beyond selling carbon credits to attracting credible buyers, financing viable projects and ensuring that the financial value generated reaches the countries and communities responsible for delivering climate benefits.
Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement for the Government of Nigeria, said the summit provides an opportunity for African stakeholders to take a leading role in shaping the future of carbon markets on the continent. “This gathering of the leading players in African carbon markets represents a continental ownership in driving the future of carbon markets shaped by Africans, for the benefit of Africa,” Shelleng said.
Connecting African projects with international investors
Investor participation will be a central feature of the summit, with dedicated investor roundtables designed to connect capital providers, carbon credit buyers and project developers.More than 40 project developers and representatives are expected to showcase initiatives across several sectors, including nature-based solutions, agriculture, waste management, clean cooking and carbon removals.
These engagements are expected to help participants identify potential partnerships, strengthen project pipelines and explore opportunities to mobilise financing for climate-related initiatives across Africa. Maggie Kinyanjui, Sourcing Manager for Africa at Climate Impact Partners, said closer collaboration among project developers, investors and buyers is essential to building a stronger African carbon market.
“Africa should not just participate in carbon markets. We should help shape them,” Kinyanjui said, emphasising the need for a market that attracts investment, maintains high standards of integrity and ensures communities benefit from the value created.The summit will also provide a platform for African policymakers to engage with international organisations and market participants on how global carbon market developments can be translated into practical opportunities for the continent.
International carbon market rules in focus
The summit follows the 23rd meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, held in Bonn, Germany, from October 5 to 9.The body oversees the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, which establishes an international framework for generating and trading carbon credits under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.
Developments in international carbon market rules are important for African countries seeking to attract climate finance, develop credible carbon projects and strengthen their participation in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Amy Rhoades, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer at Carbon Standards, said engagement among policymakers, entrepreneurs and buyers is critical to expanding credible carbon removal solutions in Africa.
“Africa isn’t waiting for global carbon markets to mature; it’s actively building them,” Rhoades said, adding that collaboration among stakeholders will help shape the continent’s carbon removal ecosystem.The discussions in Kigali will therefore offer an opportunity to examine how international standards, investment decisions and partnerships can support the growth of African carbon markets while maintaining environmental credibility.
Rwanda’s role in advancing climate finance
Rwanda’s hosting of the summit places the country at the centre of discussions on how African nations can mobilise climate finance and strengthen their role in international carbon markets.The event is expected to bring together government representatives, financiers, investors, project developers and other stakeholders to explore ways of turning climate ambitions into bankable projects and practical results.
Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director, said the diversity of participants creates opportunities to strengthen cooperation across the carbon market value chain.
“The real opportunity lies in bringing decision-makers, financiers, buyers and project developers into the same room,” Nicholls said, noting that these discussions could help unlock investment, strengthen project pipelines and accelerate partnerships.The summit is organised by the Carbon Markets Africa Summit, powered by VUKA Group. The United Nations Development Programme and the African Development Bank are host organisations, while the Development Bank of Southern Africa is the host partner and AUDA-NEPAD is the strategic institutional partner.
As African countries seek greater access to climate finance, the summit is expected to provide a platform for moving discussions beyond market potential towards partnerships, investment and implementation.The key question for participating countries will be how to ensure that growing international interest in carbon markets translates into credible projects, sustainable economic opportunities and measurable benefits for African communities.
The Carbon Markets Africa Summit 2026 will take place from October 13 to 15 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda.
