Africa’s growing role in global carbon trading will take centre stage in Kigali next year as Rwanda prepares to host the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026, a major event expected to bring together governments, investors and climate finance leaders from around the world.

The summit will take place from October 13 to 15, 2026, at a time when international carbon markets are shifting from policy discussions toward large-scale commercial transactions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the aviation-linked CORSIA emissions framework.

Organisers say the event reflects a wider transition across the continent from carbon market “readiness” to real project delivery, investment mobilisation and scalable climate finance.

Rwanda Positions Itself As A Leading African Carbon Market Hub

Rwanda has increasingly emerged as one of Africa’s most active carbon market jurisdictions, with the government advancing Article 6 engagement and promoting carbon finance as part of its long-term economic and environmental strategy.

The summit is being organised with support from Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment alongside international partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Development Bank (AfDB), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and AUDA-NEPAD.

Private sector organisations including SGS and Anthesis are also supporting the event.

Rwandan Environment Minister Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye said the country sees carbon markets as a strategic tool for investment and sustainable development.

“Rwanda has made a deliberate choice to position carbon markets as a tool for climate action, investment mobilisation and long-term development,” Arakwiye said.

“Hosting CMAS 2026 reflects our commitment to building credible and investable carbon projects that deliver real value for our economy, communities and climate goals.”

Africa Seeks Greater Influence In Global Carbon Trading

The summit comes as African governments and financial institutions push for a stronger role in shaping global carbon markets amid rising demand for high-integrity carbon credits.

Carbon markets are increasingly being viewed across the continent as a financing mechanism capable of supporting infrastructure development, renewable energy projects and climate resilience.

Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer for Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, said the summit would help align carbon market growth with African development priorities.

“The Summit provides a timely platform for African countries to shape the future of carbon markets in line with the continent’s development priorities,” Somorin said.

He added that the African Development Bank remains focused on strengthening the policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks needed to attract investment and scale carbon market activity across Africa.

Private Capital Expected To Drive Climate Finance Growth

Financial institutions participating in the summit are expected to focus heavily on unlocking private sector investment for climate mitigation and low-carbon infrastructure projects.

Kumesh Naidoo, Carbon Markets Lead at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, said carbon finance would play an increasingly important role in helping African economies transition toward lower-carbon development.

“As Africa transitions to a low-carbon economy, the mobilisation of private capital is needed at scale to support climate mitigation activities and build climate-resilient infrastructure,” Naidoo said.

The summit will be held under the theme “Africa’s Carbon Markets on the Global Stage: Delivering a Strong Pipeline of Projects, Capital and Transactions at Scale.”

Article 6 And CORSIA To Feature Heavily In Kigali Discussions

CMAS 2026 will include workshops and investor sessions focused on Article 6 implementation, CORSIA compliance, project financing, monitoring systems and carbon market authorisation processes.

The programme will also feature deal rooms, project showcases, ministerial roundtables and buyer-investor networking sessions aimed at accelerating transactions and improving market credibility.

As global scrutiny over carbon credit integrity intensifies, African carbon assets are increasingly being framed not only as climate tools but also as instruments for economic sovereignty and development financing.

“High-quality carbon markets offer Africa a unique opportunity to translate its vast natural capital into tangible economic value,” said Maxwell Gomera, UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa and Director of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub.

Summit organisers say the event is designed to move beyond policy discussions and support tangible commercial outcomes.

“We are deliberately shifting the focus from readiness to delivery,” said Emmanuelle Nicholls, Group Director for Green Economy at VUKA Group.

“CMAS brings policy, capital and projects into the same space to support real transactions and long-term market credibility.”