The award-winning VUKA Group has officially unveiled the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS), a high-level continental gathering set to take place 21–23 October 2025 in Johannesburg. Positioned as Africa’s flagship platform for carbon finance, the summit will unite policymakers, investors, carbon standards bodies, developers and corporates to accelerate inclusive climate action and unlock Africa’s carbon value chain at scale.
Carbon Markets: Africa’s Untapped Climate Finance Engine
Carbon markets are fast emerging as a major opportunity for sustainable development in Africa. However, issues around validation, regulation, monetisation and verification have made it difficult for African developers and financiers to fully benefit.
“This isn’t mining or retail. The returns, timelines, and requirements are different,” said Olivia Tuchten, Principal Climate Change Advisor at Promethium Carbon. “There’s money to be made and good to be done but only if stakeholders upskill and understand the process.”
CMAS is Africa’s strategic answer, a purpose-built platform to bridge knowledge gaps, strengthen deal readiness and stimulate bankable transactions.
Strategic Timing: Ahead of G20 and COP30
The launch of CMAS comes at a critical moment in global climate policy. As the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November is set to shape the future of international carbon standards and financing, CMAS provides African stakeholders with a timely platform to align positions and prepare for COP30, where carbon governance and funding will take centre stage.
“We are in the right place and at the right time today to ensure that Africa benefits from carbon markets,” said Prof Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB).
CMAS Highlights: Africa-Led, Globally Connected
- Pan-African Agenda: While focused on Africa’s unique carbon potential, CMAS ensures strong engagement with global buyers, investors, and compliance bodies.
- Ministerial Roundtable: A closed-door policy session (21 Oct) bringing together African climate, finance, and environment ministers to shape a unified policy voice ahead of G20 and COP30.
- Investor-Ready Engagements: Project showcases, investor roundtables, and curated networking to turn conversations into climate-finance deals.
- Integrity & Standards: Workshops and dialogues on Article 6 mechanisms, carbon credit verification, and ESG alignment.
- Project Visibility: A special focus on high-impact, Africa-based carbon projects capable of delivering measurable community and environmental returns.
The summit is backed by an advisory board made up of leading climate experts and financial specialists from across Africa and globally, including representatives from the African Development Bank, Standard Bank, UNDP, FSD Africa and VCMI. This ensures the event is grounded in practical experience and diverse regional insight.
“Africa is still not maximising its potential,” said Dr Olufunso Somorin of AfDB. “The AfDB wants to increase the number of African-owned, African-led carbon projects and has created the African Carbon Support Facility to fund project validation and development.”
According to Lawrence Cole-Morgan of Standard Bank, “The carbon markets provide Africa with the ability to monetise its carbon sequestration capacity and channel those revenues into adaptation and development.”
