Africa is emerging as a powerhouse in global carbon markets. With vast forests, renewable energy potential, and growing policy ambition, the continent is building robust infrastructure to track, verify, and trade carbon credits. At the heart of this transformation are carbon registries: secure platforms that ensure integrity, prevent double-counting, and build trust with international buyers.
As of 2026, national and sub-national registries are multiplying across the continent. Here’s a look at 10 notable carbon registries shaping Africa’s climate future, with insights into how each works and their unique peculiarities.
1. Kenya National Carbon Registry (KNCR)
Launched in February 2026 by the Ministry of Environment and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the KNCR is one of Africa’s most advanced national systems. It serves as a centralized digital ledger for registering, tracking, verifying, and authorizing carbon projects across sectors like forestry, renewables, and land use.
How it works: Project developers submit proposals for approval. Once verified (often with third-party validation), emission reductions are issued as credits. The registry supports Article 6 of the Paris Agreement with features for corresponding adjustments and international transfers. It integrates public transparency layers for accountability.
Peculiarity: Designed for high-integrity credits, it combines strong government oversight with efficiency to position Kenya as a preferred destination for quality carbon finance.
2. Ghana Carbon Registry (GCR)
One of the earliest operational systems in Africa (established around 2022), managed by the Environmental Protection Agency. It has already facilitated real international transfers, including ITMOs to Switzerland.
How it works: Projects must meet strict criteria (real, additional, permanent, verifiable). After eligibility checks and independent verification, Mitigation Outcomes (MOs) are issued and tracked. It includes accounts for mitigation activities, transfers, and national GHG inventory integration.
Peculiarity: Strong focus on Article 6.2 compliance and government-to-government deals. It emphasizes legal backing and has pioneered transparent international credit transfers in Africa.
3. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) National Carbon Credit Registry
Launched in late 2025, this registry protects and monetizes the vast carbon stocks of the Congo Basin.
How it works: It tracks forest conservation and REDD+ projects using satellite monitoring, project registration, verification, and credit issuance. Blockchain elements enhance transparency in some components.
Peculiarity: Heavy emphasis on large-scale nature-based solutions and community benefits in one of the world’s most critical carbon sinks.
4. Credible Carbon (South Africa)
A voluntary registry operating since 2008, focused on poverty-alleviating and community-driven projects across Africa.
How it works: Projects are listed publicly with transparent issuance and retirement records. Emphasis is placed on additionality and direct community revenue sharing.
Peculiarity: Strong social development angle — it prioritizes small-scale, impactful initiatives that larger registries might overlook, with high public visibility of all transactions.
5. South African Carbon Offset Administration System (COAS)
Integrated into South Africa’s carbon tax regime, this compliance-focused system links approved international standards (Verra, Gold Standard, etc.) to national carbon tax obligations.
How it works: Offsets are administered, tracked, and retired against tax liabilities through a centralized administrator.
Peculiarity: Compliance-driven rather than purely voluntary, making it a practical tool for domestic decarbonization and corporate compliance.
6. Africa Sovereign Carbon Registry (ASCR) Framework
A harmonization initiative supporting sovereign national registries in countries including Djibouti, Gabon, Liberia, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Guinea.
How it works: Provides standardized yet flexible governance models that respect national sovereignty while enabling interoperability and international alignment.
Peculiarity: Focuses on African ownership of carbon assets, reducing over-reliance on external verifiers and platforms.
7. Zimbabwe National Carbon Registry
An operational system that lists authorized mitigation outcomes and supports project registration.
How it works: Projects are assessed, registered, and tracked for emission reductions, feeding into national climate reporting.
Peculiarity: Emphasizes formalizing participation in carbon markets to attract investment while aligning with national development goals.
8. African Registry for Carbon (ARC) Initiative
A modular, adaptable “mother registry” solution (supported by partners like GIZ) built to scale across countries, drawing from successful models like Kenya’s.
How it works: Offers license-free digital tools for quick setup of national registries with built-in interoperability features.
Peculiarity: Promotes rapid capacity building and reduces fragmentation across the continent.
9. Rwanda’s Carbon Market Registry & Pilots
Rwanda is advancing its infrastructure with plans for a full public registry alongside cap-and-trade and Article 6 readiness programs.
How it works: Focuses on project registration, MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification), and integration with national climate strategies.
Peculiarity: Strong integration with broader green growth and East African Community alignment.
10. Lagos Greenhouse Gas Registry (LGHGR) – Nigeria
Developed by TPHG Technologies in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and Swanlux Global Investments Limited, the LGHGR is a pioneering sub-national registry. It is on track for full launch in Q1 2026, making Lagos one of the first African cities with a dedicated, functional emissions tracking system.
How it works: It functions as a transparent, reliable, and legally enforceable digital platform for inventorying major GHG emission sources across sectors. Entities report emissions using standardized templates. The system supports accurate measurement, reporting, verification (MRV), emission caps, carbon crediting, and future trading. Governance includes a board chaired by the LASEPA General Manager, with clear regulations aligned to national standards.
Peculiarity: As a state-level initiative in Nigeria’s commercial capital, it emphasizes urban emissions management, regulatory compliance, and serving as a model for other states. Its focus on both public and private entities, combined with strong technical architecture from TPHG Technologies, positions it uniquely for local climate action with potential for broader national and international linkage.
Honorable mentions: Initiatives in Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, and others are in advanced stages of development.
Why These Registries Matter
Carbon registries are foundational for credible climate markets. They prevent double-counting, attract quality investment, empower sovereign control over national assets, and ensure benefits flow to local communities and sustainable development.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Key hurdles include building technical capacity, strengthening Monitoring-Reporting-Verification systems, ensuring interoperability, and guaranteeing equitable benefit-sharing. However, innovations like the ARC platform and sovereign approaches are helping close these gaps.
Africa’s carbon registries are powerful enablers of climate leadership, economic transformation, and environmental justice.
At TPHG Technologies, we are proud to have played a key role in developing and implementing the Lagos Greenhouse Gas Registry alongside LASEPA. This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering practical, high-impact climate solutions that drive transparency and accountability across Africa.
As the continent’s carbon market matures, the future looks promising. What are your thoughts on Africa’s growing role in global carbon markets? Share in the comments below.
