Kenya is positioning itself as a key player in global carbon markets with the launch of its national carbon registry, a platform designed to improve transparency, prevent double counting, and verify emissions reductions at a time when scrutiny of climate offsets is intensifying worldwide.
The registry, unveiled in Nairobi by the Ministry of Environment and the National Environment Management Authority, is intended to serve as the backbone for tracking carbon credit projects and ensuring compliance with international standards.
Africa holds significant carbon sinks, from forests and grasslands to wetlands, yet historically receives only a small share of global climate finance. Kenya, with its extensive renewable energy resources and ambitious conservation programs, aims to attract foreign investment while ensuring that local communities benefit from carbon market participation. Over 80 project concept notes have already been submitted to the registry, indicating strong developer and investor interest.
Carbon markets function by allowing countries and companies to offset their emissions by purchasing credits from projects that reduce or remove carbon dioxide, such as forest protection, renewable energy deployment, or reforestation. Yet offset programs have been criticized for weak oversight, inflated claims, and poor benefit-sharing, eroding confidence in their integrity. The new Kenyan registry seeks to address these challenges by providing a transparent accounting system that records project approvals, tracks emissions reductions, and authorizes carbon credit transfers in line with Paris Agreement rules, including mechanisms to avoid double counting.
“Today, that narrative changes,” said Deborah Mlongo, cabinet secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. “This launch sends a clear signal to investors and the international community. Kenya is ready to participate in global carbon markets with transparency, integrity, and strong governance.”
Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s special climate envoy, emphasized the importance of a centralized system: “This registry becomes the backbone of an efficient market. It enables tracking of projects, issuance of units, and corresponding adjustments, strengthening trust in Kenya as a serious and reliable carbon market jurisdiction.”
The registry builds on Kenya’s existing forestry carbon program, launched last year to support one of Africa’s largest tree-planting initiatives, and integrates technical assistance provided by Germany’s development agency, GIZ, which has committed an additional €2.4 million ($2.6 million) to strengthen Kenya’s carbon market readiness.
