Kenya launches National Carbon Registry to boost climate action and investor confidence

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Kenya has taken a major step in advancing its climate leadership with the official launch of the National Carbon Registry, a digital platform designed to underpin the country’s carbon market ecosystem. The launch positions Kenya to move from ambition to full operationalisation of its carbon market, strengthening transparency, credibility, and investor confidence.

Speaking at the event, Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, emphasized that the registry provides the strategic backbone for tracking carbon projects, issuing credits, and managing transfers and adjustments. The system also ensures interoperability with global carbon market frameworks, reinforcing Kenya’s reputation as a high-integrity jurisdiction.

The high-level launch convened senior government officials, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders, including representatives from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the National Environment Management Authority, and international partners such as the European Union, Germany, and Switzerland.

By digitising and standardising carbon market processes, Kenya aims to reduce market uncertainty, shorten approval timelines, and enable communities, developers, and investors to participate with greater confidence. The initiative complements the country’s leadership in international climate initiatives, including the Coalition on Growing Carbon Market Demand and the African Principles for Equity and Integrity in Carbon Markets.

With the National Carbon Registry now operational, Kenya is establishing the institutional foundation to scale climate investments, expand clean energy transitions, support nature-based solutions, and deliver measurable benefits to communities while contributing meaningfully to global climate goals.