Kenya has launched its first national carbon registry, a digital system designed to track, verify and trade carbon credits a move officials say will help the country attract climate financing and strengthen its climate change commitments.
The Kenya Carbon Registry will allow businesses, landowners and communities to register carbon‑reduction projects, measure greenhouse gas savings, and issue verified carbon credits that can be sold to local and international buyers. By improving transparency and standardising how emissions reductions are recorded, the registry aims to build trust in Kenya’s carbon market and make it easier for investors to support climate‑friendly initiatives.
Climate and environment officials said the registry complements Kenya’s existing climate policies and its commitments under the Paris Agreement, helping to mobilise private finance for conservation, renewable energy and sustainable land‑use projects. The platform is also expected to strengthen the role of grassroots participants including farmers and forest communities by giving them a way to benefit financially from protecting ecosystems that store carbon.
The launch comes at a time when African countries are increasingly exploring carbon markets as a tool for climate finance, but have faced challenges related to verification, transparency and investor confidence. Kenyan leaders say the new registry will address these hurdles and position the country as a regional model for carbon trading infrastructure.
Officials have hinted at future enhancements, including online project tracking and partnerships with international verification bodies, to ensure the system remains robust and aligned with global standards.