Carbon farming and reforestation in Africa

In a groundbreaking initiative to address climate change and promote sustainable agriculture in Africa, the Founder and Executive Director of The Kilimanjaro Project, Sarah Scott, shared insights on the innovative approach taken by the project. The Kilimanjaro Project, based in Tanzania, has embarked on a mission to link 89,000 smallholder farmers to global carbon markets through a 14 million tree planting scheme. Notably, the project is set to launch the Kilimanjaro Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, aimed at healing and financing the broader landscape through multifunctional programs. The financing model employed by The Kilimanjaro Project involves a partnership with TIST, an organization that has been supporting smallholder farmers in East Africa for over 20 years. By incentivizing farmers to grow indigenous trees on their land, The Kilimanjaro Project aims to empower farmers to make informed land use choices. Although currently in the fundraising stage, the project relies on investments and philanthropy to unlock the necessary finance for tree planting, with future payments tied to carbon sequestration over a period of five to seven years. Key to the project's sustainability and economic viability is the focus on indigenous tree species, which enable farmers to transition from monoculture practices to regenerative agricultural systems. The integration of two finance models, TIST and the carbon stack, further enhances the impact of the project. While carbon credits provide a financial lever for the transition to more sustainable practices, the biodiversity credits under the Kilimanjaro Ecosystem Restoration Initiative introduce a novel approach to valuing ecosystem restoration. The success of The Kilimanjaro Project's carbon farming and reforestation efforts is underscored by the increasing value of carbon credits in the market. Over the past three years, TIST credits have surged from $18 to nearly $60 per ton, reflecting a growing demand for high-quality carbon offset projects that prioritize climate, biodiversity, community, and water stewardship. Moreover, the project's pioneering work in biodiversity credits signals a new frontier in nature-based solutions, with plans to issue credits as early as next year. Looking ahead, Sarah Scott emphasizes the importance of unlocking early stage financing to mitigate project risks and attract substantial investments in African carbon projects. By leveraging domestic financial resources and fostering partnerships with local institutions, the path is paved for a sustainable pipeline of high-quality nature projects across the continent. The Kilimanjaro Project stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative potential of carbon farming and reforestation in Africa.