Rwanda is set to host the 2026 International Carbon Market Conference in Kigali, a major global forum focused on scaling up investment in climate action and environmental protection.
The conference will run from October 13 to 15, 2026, bringing together government leaders, investors, international organisations, project developers, and carbon credit buyers to explore opportunities within global carbon markets, with a strong focus on Africa’s role.
It will be hosted by the Ministry of Environment in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and AUDA-NEPAD.
Organisers say discussions will go beyond regulatory frameworks to focus on practical, high-impact projects that deliver measurable climate benefits and attract sustainable investment.
Key areas of focus will include scaling up afforestation and reforestation initiatives, expanding renewable energy projects, and promoting climate-smart agriculture, alongside mobilising finance to support their growth.
Carbon markets allow governments, companies, and individuals to generate and trade carbon credits by reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions through verified climate projects such as tree planting, clean energy, and conservation.
Rwanda has in recent years expanded its engagement in carbon markets as part of efforts to attract climate finance and support environmentally sustainable development.
The previous edition of the conference was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2025, and centred on unlocking private sector investment in climate-related projects.
Experts note that global efforts to meet Paris Agreement targets require cutting billions of tonnes of emissions by mid-century, positioning carbon markets as a key tool for financing the transition to low-carbon economies.
Hosting the conference further strengthens Rwanda’s position as an emerging hub for climate finance and green growth initiatives.
