Kenya launches 2026 guide to strengthen carbon market participation

Story by Monyonge O’kebati

Kenya has unveiled a new framework aimed at strengthening the country’s participation in international carbon markets while protecting national climate targets and ensuring communities benefit from carbon projects.

Speaking during the launch of the Kenya Guide for Strategic Engagement in Carbon Markets 2026, Dr. Festus Ng’eno said the framework provides clearer and more predictable procedures for Kenya’s engagement in global carbon trading.

The guide operationalises the Climate Change Act and the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024, setting out requirements for participation in carbon markets as international trading mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement become operational.

A key provision is a 10 million-tonne CO₂ equivalent cumulative ceiling on international transfers between 2025 and 2030. The limit is intended to safeguard Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and minimise the risk of excessive transfer of carbon credits.

Ng’eno said Kenya’s approach is anchored on four principles: predictability, high environmental integrity, putting people before carbon, and creating value beyond carbon.

Under the framework, carbon projects are expected to generate tangible benefits for local communities, including equitable sharing of revenues, technology transfer, skills development, employment opportunities and increased local economic value.

The launch comes as Kenya seeks to position itself as an active participant in the emerging international carbon market while ensuring that carbon trading supports broader national development and does not undermine the country’s climate commitments.

Ng’eno said the government would continue working to ensure that carbon markets contribute to Kenya’s development while protecting the rights, livelihoods and interests of communities hosting carbon projects.