African governments, investors and carbon project developers will converge in Kigali from October 13 to 15 for a summit aimed at strengthening investment, expanding carbon markets and increasing Africa’s role in shaping the global climate finance landscape.
The Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026 is expected to attract participants from 45 countries globally, including 24 African nations, with more than 100 speakers, 50 investors, buyers and financiers, 20 African governments and over 40 project developers.
The summit comes as international carbon market rules evolve, creating opportunities for African countries to attract climate finance while ensuring carbon projects deliver credible environmental benefits and economic value to local communities.
Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria’s President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement, said the meeting would strengthen Africa’s influence over the development of carbon markets.
“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,” he said.
Investor participation will be central to the three-day meeting, with dedicated roundtables bringing capital providers, carbon credit buyers and project developers together to explore financing opportunities and commercial partnerships.
More than 40 project developers and representatives from sectors including nature-based solutions, agriculture, waste management, clean cooking and carbon removal are expected to showcase opportunities across the continent.
Maggie Kinyanjui, Sourcing Manager for Africa at Climate Impact Partners, said the continent needed to move beyond participation towards influencing market development and attracting investment that benefits local communities.
“Africa should not just participate in carbon markets. We should help shape them,” she said, adding that the priority was to attract capital, uphold market integrity and ensure value reaches the countries and communities delivering climate impact.
The discussions will take place amid continuing developments in international carbon market rules, including the Paris Agreement’s Article 6 mechanisms, which establish frameworks for countries to cooperate in reducing emissions and trading internationally transferred mitigation outcomes.
Amy Rhoades, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer at Carbon Standards, said engagement between policymakers, entrepreneurs and buyers was essential to building a credible carbon removal sector in Africa.
She said the summit offered an opportunity to connect organisations working across the carbon value chain and support the development of carbon removal solutions on the continent.
For African countries, the challenge is to translate growing international interest into projects that can attract long-term financing, demonstrate measurable emissions reductions and deliver tangible benefits to communities.
Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director, said bringing decision-makers, financiers, buyers and developers together could help strengthen project pipelines, unlock investment and accelerate partnerships needed to expand African carbon markets.
The summit is hosted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment, with the United Nations Development Programme and African Development Bank as host organisations. The Development Bank of Southern Africa is the host partner, while AUDA-NEPAD is the strategic institutional partner.
As the meeting opens, attention will focus on whether growing international engagement can translate into investment commitments, stronger project development and a greater African role in determining how carbon markets operate and distribute their economic benefits.
