Africa’s Climate Finance Future: Insights from the Carbon Markets Africa Summit 2025

Seizing the Continent’s Climate Finance Future at Carbon Markets Africa Summit
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Africa stands on the brink of a significant moment in climate finance. As the global focus shifts toward carbon pricing and sustainable development, the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) scheduled for October 21-23, 2025, in Johannesburg, represents a pivotal opportunity for the continent. Organized by the award-winning VUKA Group, CMAS aims to leverage Africa’s abundant natural carbon assets to generate inclusive economic growth, enhance climate resilience, and create tangible investment opportunities.

Unlike traditional commodities, carbon is not physically extracted from the earth; its value is based on validation, measurement, and trust. CMAS seeks to pave the way for progress by bringing together key stakeholders—from government ministers and financiers to developers and global standards organizations—to promote action, accountability, and substantial investment.

As Olivia Tuchten, Principal Climate Change Advisor at Promethium Carbon, notes, “This isn’t mining or retail. The returns, timelines, and requirements are different. There’s money to be made and good to be done—but only if stakeholders upskill and understand the process.”

### Timely, Tactical, and Connected to Article 6

The timing of CMAS is strategic. With the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November and COP30 approaching, Africa is at a crucial crossroads. Amid debates surrounding carbon border adjustment mechanisms and international credit standards, it is imperative for the continent to present a unified voice. “We are in the right place and at the right time today to ensure that Africa benefits from carbon markets,” asserts Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is vital, as it facilitates international collaboration in reducing emissions through carbon markets, a framework that could unlock billions for African economies—provided it is managed with integrity and technical readiness.

### What Makes CMAS Unique?

In contrast to many climate conferences that often become mired in policy discussions, CMAS is designed to deliver tangible results:

1. **A Pan-African Vision, Anchored in Action:** CMAS emphasizes African leadership while fostering strong connections with global buyers, financiers, and standards organizations, ensuring that Africa is not just a participant but a key agenda-setter.

2. **Ministerial Roundtable – October 21:** This exclusive session convenes environment, climate, and finance ministers from across Africa to align national policies and establish a unified African voice ahead of G20 and COP30.

3. **Real Deals, Not Just Dialogue:** With investor roundtables, project showcases, and tailored networking events, CMAS is structured for deal-making, focusing on action rather than discussion.

4. **Navigating the Maze of Compliance:** CMAS will explore both voluntary and compliance carbon markets, delving into Article 6 mechanisms, emerging regional frameworks, and global best practices.

5. **High-Impact Projects in the Spotlight:** Africa is rich with climate-smart initiatives that require visibility and funding. CMAS will highlight investable carbon projects that deliver measurable benefits for both climate and communities.

### Building Capacity for Ownership

For Africa to genuinely thrive in the carbon economy, it must take charge of its own path. This involves investing in skills, institutions, and local capital pipelines. The African Carbon Support Facility, established by the AfDB, is a significant step toward this goal. Dr. Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer at AfDB, emphasizes, “Africa is still not maximizing its potential. We need to do things differently. Many good project developers have innovative ideas but lack the resources to transform their ideas into investable projects.”

He adds, “The AfDB aims to increase the number of African-owned, African-based, and African-led project developments.”

With an initial capital of $100 million, the fund is designed to support early-stage project developers, cover costly validation processes, and encourage governments to adopt market-enabling policies.

### Rising Confidence in the Private Sector

Banks, verification bodies, and trading platforms are increasingly recognizing the potential of carbon markets. Lawrence Cole-Morgan, Carbon Credit Trading Lead at Standard Bank, expresses optimism: “The carbon markets empower Africa to monetize its substantial carbon sequestration potential to finance socio-economic development and essential adaptation efforts while making a meaningful contribution to combating climate change.”

From Uganda, Andrew Ocama of the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets adds, “Each country is at a different level of readiness. For the seven Alliance countries, these markets represent a vital financing avenue due to their accountability and measurable outcomes.”

### A Diverse Advisory Board

The extensive and varied advisory board of CMAS reflects its ambitious goals:

– Andrew Gilder, Climate Legal, South Africa
– Andrew Ocama, Eastern Africa Alliance, Uganda
– Bianca Gichangi, VCMI, Kenya
– Brett Stacey, Carbon Zero Verification, UK
– Dr. Olufunso Somorin, AfDB, Kenya
– Heather McEwan, Verra, South Africa
– Javier Mazanares, Allen Manza, Panama
– Lawrence Cole-Morgan, Standard Bank, South Africa
– Mathis Granjon, Green Steps, Netherlands
– Maxime Bayen, Catalyst Fund, Spain
– Olivia Tuchten, Promethium Carbon, South Africa
– Reshma Shah, FSD Africa, Kenya
– Bernardin Uzayisaba, UNDP, South Africa
– Ibrahim Shelleng, Government of Nigeria

Their collective expertise spans law, finance, policy, verification, and market implementation, providing valuable insights from various sectors and regions.

### More Than Just a Summit

**Pre-Summit Day on October 21:**
– Carbon 101 seminar
– Dialogue hosted by the Global Trust Project

**Main Summit on October 22-23:**
– High-level plenaries
– Ministerial Roundtable
– Hands-on technical workshops
– Sector-specific dialogues
– Investor and project roundtables
– Deal-making forums and curated networking events

**Venue:** Johannesburg, South Africa

### A Proven Organizer

The summit is organized by VUKA Group, a well-recognized name in Africa’s B2B events sector. With two decades of experience and a portfolio that includes Enlit Africa, Africa’s Green Economy Summit, and DRC Mining Week, VUKA brings credibility, networks, and execution expertise. Their experience guarantees that CMAS will not be another policy-heavy conference, but rather an engine of opportunity.

### Why CMAS Matters Now

The carbon economy is tangible, and Africa possesses invaluable resources: forests, grasslands, blue carbon ecosystems, and immense potential for clean energy and regenerative agriculture. However, to access this wealth, Africa must navigate a complex landscape of standards, protocols, and market mechanisms. Events like CMAS are crucial as they bring together the right people, under the right roof, at the right time.

### Lighting the Path Forward

As the race to net zero intensifies, Africa is poised to become more than just a supplier of carbon offsets. With strategic alignment, skill development, and bold leadership, the continent can define the rules, control the platforms, and reap the benefits. CMAS 2025 is not merely a summit; it is a rallying cry for a continent ready to claim its rightful place in the global carbon economy.