Nigeria has approved the export of carbon credits from clean cooking projects for the first time, marking an important step toward its participation in global carbon markets.
On March 11, approval was granted through a letter issued by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to the company BURN, permitting the transfer of credits to CORSIA, the international aviation emissions offset system, Ecofin Agency reported.
The authorization applies to 5.2 million carbon credits created through the widespread use of improved cookstoves.
It enables the Kenyan company, along with partners such as Key Carbon, to sell these emissions reductions on the international market under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
This framework allows countries to collaborate on meeting their climate goals by transferring emissions reductions, known as internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs).
It supports cross-border carbon trading between governments and private firms, helping expand a decentralized global market while channeling funding into climate initiatives.
The move comes as Nigeria works to build its own carbon market system, partly influenced by policies like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduced by the European Union, which is pressuring industries to lower emissions.
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In 2025, the government introduced the Nigerian Carbon Market Activation Policy (NCMAP), aiming to generate $2.5 billion by 2030 through carbon credit production and trade.
According to the head of the NCCC, Nkiruka Maduekwe, climate finance should directly benefit local communities, and Nigeria’s framework is structured to support both emissions reduction and sustainable development.
Earlier, in February 2026, Nigeria issued its first large-scale industrial carbon credits through the Releaf Earth initiative, which produced 190 verified credits.
Nigeria’s action mirrors a growing trend across the continent. Malawi approved similar credits for CORSIA in November 2025, while Ghana, in partnership with Switzerland, has already completed transfers under Article 6, according to Ecofin Agency.
However, not all countries are taking the same approach. In Kenya, authorities recently declined to approve the export of credits from a project led by Koko Networks, indicating a preference to retain control over carbon credit volumes and the revenues they generate.
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Image Credit: Vanguard
