Who Sets the Terms for Africa's Carbon Markets? CMAS 2026 and the Decisions Behind Every Carbon Credit

The value of a carbon credit is determined long before it reaches a buyer. Decisions on project ownership, finance, data, verification, and benefit-sharing shape who participates and who benefits. As new regulations and international partnerships expand market access across Africa, these questions are becoming urgent. The Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026, taking place from 13 to 15 October at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda, will bring together governments, developers, investors, and technical experts to address them. Recent developments include the Rwanda-Singapore bilateral agreement under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which allows Singapore-based companies to offset up to 5% of taxable emissions with credits from authorised projects. Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa are also advancing their carbon market frameworks. The summit will examine government authorisation, buyer requirements, pricing, investment risk, registries, and African MRV capacity. With COP31 ahead, the decisions made now will define whether carbon finance delivers credible environmental outcomes and lasting benefits for African economies.