More than 50 investors, buyers and financiers are expected to meet with over 40 carbon project developers in Kigali next week as African countries seek to attract climate investment and expand their participation in global carbon markets.
The Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026, scheduled for October 13–15 at the Kigali Convention Centre, has confirmed participation from 45 countries, including 24 African nations, alongside more than 100 speakers and representatives of 20 African governments.
The gathering will focus on connecting African climate projects with international investors and carbon credit buyers, while exploring how carbon markets can generate economic opportunities and benefits for local communities.
For African countries, the challenge extends beyond generating and selling carbon credits to securing credible buyers, financing viable projects and ensuring that the value created reaches the communities involved.
Nigeria’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement, Ibrahim Shelleng, said the summit offered an opportunity for African stakeholders to shape the development of carbon markets for the continent’s benefit.
Investor roundtables and business meetings will provide opportunities for financiers, buyers and project developers to discuss potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
More than 40 project developers and representatives working across nature-based solutions, agriculture, waste management, clean cooking and carbon removal are expected to participate.
Maggie Kinyanjui, Sourcing Manager for Africa at Climate Impact Partners, said stronger engagement between project developers, buyers and investors was essential to building a more robust African carbon market.
The summit also comes amid continuing international discussions on carbon market rules under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. The mechanism, overseen by the UNFCCC’s Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, establishes a framework for generating and trading carbon credits under the global climate agreement.
Amy Rhoades, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer at Carbon Standards, said engagement among policymakers, entrepreneurs and buyers was important to developing credible carbon removal projects in Africa.
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.
Organisers say the three-day gathering aims to move discussions beyond market potential towards practical partnerships, investment and project development.
CMAS 2026 will take place from October 13 to 15 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.
