Mobilising Finance for a Sustainable Future with UNDP and Carbon Markets Africa Summit
In a year defined by climate urgency and economic reinvention, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is stepping up to help Africa transform its climate ambitions into measurable impact. As the official host partner of the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS), taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October, the UNDP aims to empower governments and businesses to harness the potential of high-integrity carbon markets.
Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa and Director of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, challenges the status quo: “How is it possible that in 2025, when we are able to send people to the moon, when we are able to create driverless vehicles, we’ve not been able to solve the problem of cooking energy in Africa’s rural areas?” His words reflect a deep frustration shared by many, how can a continent so rich in potential still struggle to finance basic sustainability solutions?
He continues: “This is something that is within our means. And as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, we are now working with governments across Africa on how to solve such problems. High-integrity carbon markets can offer Africa a powerful tool to mobilise finance required to advance climate action and ensure fair benefits while driving sustainable and inclusive development.”
Unlocking Billions Through Carbon Finance
UNDP’s vision for Africa is one of ownership, innovation, and resilience. As Gomera explains: “Africa no longer waits for promises to be kept, we act. Carbon markets can unlock billions in finance, strengthen our institutions, and accelerate both Agenda 2063 and the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. At UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, we believe in a unified continent ready to harness this opportunity, own its solutions, and lead the global transformation towards resilience and prosperity.”
The Carbon Markets Africa Summit is designed to be a landmark event, gathering the continent’s entire carbon value chain, from early market movers and regulatory bodies to institutional investors and international partners. With the UNDP as a host partner, the focus is not just on discussion but on implementation, building frameworks that make climate finance accessible and transparent.
Gomera underscores the urgency: “We cannot continue talking about Africa’s potential. We must make that potential a reality. The Carbon Markets Africa Summit matters, because we bring together like-minded people to strengthen the ecosystem around a problem that we all share and provide solutions. Our message is: Tomorrow is worth fighting for.”
Building Knowledge Foundations
Before the summit officially begins, a CARBON 101 pre-summit masterclass will take place on 21 October, providing delegates with an essential grounding in the mechanics of carbon markets. Bernardin Uzayisaba, UNDP Carbon Market Programme Specialist, will lead a session titled “Why carbon markets matter – and why Africa’s timing is critical.” This masterclass will help attendees grasp how global carbon systems operate, both voluntary and compliance, and how Africa can strategically position itself within this fast-evolving sector.
The session will also unpack the global architecture shaped by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, highlighting Africa’s emerging role in establishing integrity-driven, transparent mechanisms that ensure climate finance truly benefits local communities.
Shaping the Dialogue
Day One of the Summit will open with a series of powerful keynote sessions that set the tone for Africa’s carbon market journey. UNDP’s Maxwell Gomera will take centre stage to outline the organisation’s roadmap for mobilising sustainable finance, while Sandra Lindström, Head of International Climate Cooperation at the Swedish Energy Agency, will provide a European perspective on collaboration.
Lindström remarks: “Sweden has been active in carbon markets for over two decades and we believe that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has an important role to play in enabling increased global climate ambition. Our long-standing partnerships in Africa are being ramped up to include cooperation on emissions trading with strong sustainable development contributions.”
Turning Policy into Practice
As the continent transitions from ambition to action, the real challenge lies in developing clear regulatory frameworks. Bernardin Uzayisaba will moderate a critical panel discussion on “Africa’s carbon market frameworks: Turning policy into action.” The session will explore how national policies are evolving in the post-COP29 context and how public-private collaboration can turn theory into practical solutions.
This session is expected to provide much-needed clarity on how African countries can integrate Article 6 mechanisms into their domestic strategies, aligning national interests with global market opportunities while maintaining environmental integrity.
Nature-Based Solutions and AFOLU
Africa’s natural resources represent one of its greatest opportunities for carbon mitigation. During the sector-focused dialogue on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU), Mr Uzayisaba will join a panel of experts to explore investment models, policy frameworks, and methodologies that ensure communities benefit directly from land-based carbon projects.
Discussions will centre on how to uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency while making sure that local livelihoods are enhanced, not compromised. This includes examining carbon verification systems, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the role of digital tools in monitoring forest and land carbon stocks.
Empowering African Enterprises in Carbon Markets
On Day Two, the spotlight shifts to the private sector. Tomas Sales, Special Advisor for the UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, will co-lead a workshop titled “How African companies can enter the carbon market.” This interactive session is tailored for African corporates and SMEs eager to explore the business case for participating in carbon markets.
The workshop will demystify the pathways to market entry, outlining how businesses can leverage sustainability to enhance competitiveness and attract international investment. From renewable energy projects to carbon offset initiatives, the opportunities are immense for firms willing to embrace climate innovation.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The Carbon Markets Africa Summit is organised by VUKA Group, a company with over two decades of experience connecting Africa’s business ecosystem. Alongside the UNDP, the event enjoys the backing of major institutional partners including AUDA-NEPAD and UNEP, as well as leading sponsors such as TASC (Diamond Sponsor), FSD Africa, SGS, and Trees for the Future (Gold Sponsors).
Their combined expertise underscores a shared belief: Africa can and should play a leading role in the global carbon economy. By uniting governments, investors, and innovators, CMAS 2025 aims to catalyse a new era of African-led climate finance and sustainable growth.
Africa’s Carbon Future
The energy surrounding the Carbon Markets Africa Summit isn’t just about policy papers or pledges, it’s about reshaping the future. Africa’s participation in the global carbon economy represents more than a financial opportunity; it’s a declaration of sovereignty, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
If successfully implemented, the frameworks and partnerships born from this summit could transform Africa into a global leader in sustainable finance, one where climate resilience and economic prosperity go hand in hand.
As Maxwell Gomera put it: “Tomorrow is worth fighting for.”
