Writhing from years of developed nations volt faces on Climate Change effects mitigation plans like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, African scholars have unveiled synergized recommendations aimed towards achieving long-term Climate Actions for the continent. This momencious convergence of thoughts were unloaded on the tables at the virtual launch of Carbon Market Outlook for 2025, a publication of Carbon Free Africa Network monitored by Wind Sound Africa.At the cross-fertilization of action plans spearhead by the publishers, far reaching recommendations aimed at ellevating community ownership and institutional integrity around Africa’s climate finance future as well as carbon projects and marketing were canvasses for implementation. Upon setting the stage for the mind illuminating conversation by renowned Advocate Noel, Dr Sadiq Austin Okoh, Founder and CEO of Carbon Free Africa Network, speaking from his personal background of grass root collective activism, harped on the importance of community benefits, land rights, transparent governance, local ownership and Africa led Climate Actions. He advocated for clearly defined carbon ownership framework, insisting that “Africa must lead its own climate narrative if it is to secure Climate Justice and Sustainable Development”.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Unveiling the broad economic potentials of the carbon credit market on African economies, it was revealed that the market is on a rapid growth trajectory with research based projection of 300 million carbon credits to be issued by 2030 and 1.5 billion by 2050 with the industry expected to generate $6 billion in revenue and 30 million jobs. Panelists used facts on the ground to conclude that carbon credits already accounts for nearly 80 percent of the market value. However the optimism is predicated on effective harnessing of the the continent’s vast natural resources, growing renewable energy sector and an entrepreneural youth population.
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John Mahama, President of Ghana
reas in dire need of attention to sustain existing positive outlooks however include resilient functional Carbon Market Ecosystem in order to meet the continent’s carbon market needs. These are in such areas as long term sustainability strategies, improved data systems and strong verification and validation institutions. Adequate technical expertise, infrastructural eficiency and easily surmountabl financial bottlenecks are other ecosystem requirements needed on the grounds, according to the panelists.
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
Professor John Osonwa, in his Outlook report propagated policy alignment, Climate Justice and the empowerment of smaller community-led carbon projects as prerequisites for the market’s sustainability. “Africa has the potential to lead global carbon market, but we must build from the grassroot up, ensuring inclusivity and ecological integrity”, he emphasized.
Panelists also dispassionately highlighted the down side woes of the industry. Panelist Zsoft Lengel particularly identified the demand challenges confronting African carbon credit market and cited weak appetites from governments and corporations as remote background to the demand challenges despite growing infrastructure and awareness. Vague international policies on offset use as well as insurficient domestic demand were also identified as major obstacles to thriving carbon credit market. The European Union is however identified as possible option to the low domestic demand.
Panelist Allan Schwartz dug deep into his 30 years of experience and spoke on the transformative roles of Reforestation, pointing at Mozambique’s 60 million hectares of degraded land as a potential sink for 42 billion tons of carbon credit. He called for significant investment and clear regulations to fuel Africa’s voluntary carbon market.
Most of the time, conversations were directed at the central roles of Local Communities in carbon projects and credit marketing. Dr Eyene Okpanachi, Professor Vincent Ojih, Dr Eugene Hua and Sara Stephanini all brought the hammers down on the need for transparency, equitable benefit sharing and strong environmental safeguards to ensure communities are not just beneficiaries but active stakeholders in carbon projects and marketing. Across the continent, carbon markets must prioritize people, according to their submissions. Ayene and Vincent rallied for socially inclusive models tailored to informed consent and culturally relevant policy making that leverage Indigenous Knowledge.
At the event, the African Green Economy and Sustainability Institute announced the launch of a six-week course on Integrity, Innovation and Impacts in nature based offsets designed to bridge Africa’s knowledge and skill gaps in carbon governance.
Other Market-friendly Positive Next Steps pointed out include:
– CARBON FREE AFRICAN NETWORK will publish the full 2025 OUTLOOK REPORT and roll out a subscription platform for future actions.
– Plans are on to develop carbon exchange platform for intra-African carbon trading.
– African governments are urged to enact robust policy regulatory frameworks.
– Local Institutions must enforce environmental and social safeguards
– Media and Journalists are called upon to demystify carbon markets for broader public understanding.
