Kigali will host the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026 from 13 to 15 October, bringing together participants from 45 countries worldwide, including representatives from 24 African countries. The summit will feature more than 100 speakers, over 50 investors, buyers and financiers, 20 African governments, and more than 40 project developers.
The gathering will bring together governments, project developers, financiers and carbon credit buyers to discuss the development of African carbon markets and create opportunities for direct engagement between African stakeholders and organisations active in global markets.
For Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement for the Government of Nigeria, the summit represents an opportunity for African participants to take a leading role in shaping the future 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.”
Investor and buyer participation will be an important part of the summit. Dedicated Investor Roundtables will provide opportunities for investors, buyers and project developers to meet directly, discuss potential partnerships and explore areas for further engagement.
More than 40 project developers and project representatives will also take part, representing sectors such as nature-based solutions, agriculture, waste, clean cooking and carbon removals. Their participation will give investors and buyers an opportunity to learn directly about projects being developed across the continent.
Maggie Kinyanjui, Sourcing Manager, Africa, Climate Impact Partners, highlights the importance of engagement between project developers, buyers and investors in building a stronger African carbon market.
“Africa should not just participate in carbon markets. We should help shape them. The opportunity is to build a market that attracts capital, rewards integrity and ensures that value reaches the countries and communities delivering climate impact.”
The summit comes at a time when international carbon market rules and mechanisms continue to evolve. The Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, which oversees the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, is holding its 23rd meeting this week in Bonn, immediately ahead of CMAS 2026.
The developments in international carbon markets provide an important backdrop for discussions in Kigali, where African governments and market participants will have an opportunity to consider their implications for the continent.
Amy Rhoades, Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Carbon Standards, emphasises the importance of engagement across the carbon value chain in supporting the growth of credible carbon removal solutions in Africa.
“Africa isn’t waiting for global carbon markets to mature; it’s actively building them. At Carbon Markets Africa Summit, we’re not just sponsoring a conference, we’re engaging the policymakers, entrepreneurs, and buyers who are building the carbon removal ecosystem in Africa. That engagement is the future of credible CDR and that’s why Carbon Standards is in Kigali.”
CMAS 2026 is hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Rwanda, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and African Development Bank (AfDB) as host organisations. The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is the host partner, while AUDA-NEPAD is the strategic institutional partner.
With the summit approaching, Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director, says the range of participants coming together in Kigali creates an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation across the sector.
“The real opportunity lies in bringing decision-makers, financiers, buyers and project developers into the same room. Those conversations can help unlock investment, strengthen project pipelines and accelerate the partnerships needed to scale African carbon markets.”
Over the three days, the summit will bring together governments, investors, buyers and project developers to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment. The focus will be on strengthening partnerships and advancing the transactions needed to move African carbon markets from ambition to implementation.
Marie Louise Mukanyandwi
