Rubeho Project among Africa’s top carbon initiatives

MOROGORO: THE Rubeho Mountains Carbon Project in Morogoro is one of only four initiatives selected for support by the Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE).

It was chosen from over 100 applications across 28 African countries in CAPE’s inaugural funding round, reflecting its standout potential.

CAPE, funded by UK-backed FSD Africa, seeks to drive investment into nature-based carbon projects across Africa to reduce emissions, boost carbon sequestration, protect biodiversity and benefit local communities.

FSD Africa Carbon Markets Lead, Reshma Shah, said CAPE demonstrates that Africa’s natural capital is not only a solution to the climate crisis but also a catalyst for addressing interconnected global challenges while promoting equitable and inclusive growth.

“These projects go beyond generating carbon credits, they are blueprints for redefining how the world invests in and values nature,” she said recently.

The Rubeho Mountains Carbon Project is protecting forests and improving livelihoods for over 90,000 people while targeting 14 million tonnes of CO₂ emission reductions.

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People and Planet’s Regional Director for Africa, Mr Scott Lout-Eden, said the Rubeho Mountains Carbon project’s success relies on ongoing community collaboration, strategic land-use planning and long-term financing to address deforestation and degradation.

“A critical element of our success is accessing catalytic funding, such as that provided through CAPE,” he said.

He said that being part of CAPE’s initial cohort has enabled the project to scale up foundational activities across the landscape and strengthen its readiness for long-term financing.

“Through this partnership, we are better positioned to deliver lasting benefits for people, forests and national conservation priorities,” he added.

Four carbon projects from Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya and Nigeria have been selected for investment-readiness support in the inaugural CAPE cohort.

Other projects are Papariko, a mangrove restoration in Kenya; Nigeria’s Gashaka Gumti Forest Carbon Project and Zambia’s Barotse Rangelands for Restoration.