The Making Carbon Removal Work for Sustainable Development program-a collaboration between Strathmore Agrifood Innovation Center (SAFIC), Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research, sus.lab ETH Zurich, and other partners, is playing a growing role in shaping the future of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) across sub-Saharan Africa. The project is part of the SO4RD Solution-oriented Research for Development Programme.
On 4th March 2026, the SAFIC team participated in a stakeholder engagement session focusing on the key findings emerging from ongoing research efforts to map out the landscape of CDR across sub-Saharan Africa. As part of this engagement, the delegation also visited Octavia Carbon, a pioneering company advancing Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology in Africa, to better understand the technical processes behind engineered carbon removal and its potential role in climate mitigation.
The discussions provided important insights into how Africa can position itself in the emerging global carbon removal ecosystem.
Understanding Carbon Removal in Sub-Saharan Africa
Achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050 requires two complementary strategies:
● Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and
● Removing carbon dioxide already present in the atmosphere.
This second component Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is becoming increasingly important as countries seek scalable ways to stabilize the climate.
Africa presents significant opportunities for carbon removal due to its:
● Vast land suitable for nature-based carbon sequestration
● Abundant biomass resources
● Expanding renewable energy potential, including solar and geothermal
● Potential geological storage capacity
However, despite these advantages, the region still faces gaps in policy readiness, technological deployment, and financing mechanisms.
Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts
Carbon removal projects across Sub-Saharan Africa are already generating measurable development outcomes.
Across verified projects, aggregated monitoring data shows:
● 83.5 million tonnes of CO₂ removed
● 41,000 direct jobs created
● 85 million seedlings distributed
● 72,000 training beneficiaries
● 44% average female participation
Kenya stands out as a leading country, with verified removals estimated between 5.5 and 7.5 million tonnes of CO₂ and more than 1.5 million hectares of land restored or protected.
These results demonstrate that well-designed carbon removal initiatives can deliver climate mitigation while supporting livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and community development.
The Rise of Biochar in Africa’s Carbon Removal Ecosystem
One of the most promising emerging technologies highlighted in the research is biochar.
Biochar is produced by heating biomass in a low-oxygen process known as pyrolysis, creating a stable charcoal-like substance that can store carbon in soils for long periods.
It is gaining popularity because it:
● Improves soil fertility
● Provides long-term carbon storage
● Generates high-integrity carbon credits
● Offers additional agricultural co-benefits
However, researchers are also exploring critical questions around sustainability. In many African contexts, biomass resources already serve essential purposes such as livestock feed, household energy, and income generation, raising important questions about resource competition and equitable resource use.
Carbon Removal Startups: A Young but Growing Sector
The ACRA program’s survey of carbon removal startups reveals a young and rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Some key findings include:
● 82% of organizations have fewer than 20 employees, indicating a startup-driven sector
● Nearly 48% of projects have been operating for only 1–2 years
● Around 32% of projects are currently at the pre-commercial stage
Revenue models also vary. While carbon credits remain important, many startups are diversifying income streams through:
● Product sales such as biochar and carbon-based materials
● Technical services and R&D
● Mixed financing models
Despite the growing interest, access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers.
Around 80% of startups report difficulty accessing venture capital or dilutive funding, while many also cite regulatory uncertainty as a key constraint.
Policy and Governance Challenges
The research highlights several structural challenges that must be addressed to unlock the full potential of carbon removal in Africa.
Key Policy Gaps
● Lack of legal clarity on carbon rights
● Limited integration of engineered carbon removal in national climate commitments
● Inconsistent permitting and regulatory frameworks
● Limited access to climate finance and green investment instruments
Strengthening policy frameworks will be critical to ensure carbon removal projects deliver both climate impact and equitable development outcomes.
Looking Ahead
The momentum around carbon removal in Africa is growing rapidly. Upcoming engagements such as the Africa Carbon Removal Summit, 14th -15th April 2026 in Nairobi, will further bring together researchers, innovators, policymakers, and investors to advance the ecosystem.
The visit to Octavia Carbon provided a practical glimpse into how engineering-based carbon removal technologies are beginning to emerge on the continent, complementing nature-based approaches that have long dominated Africa’s climate landscape.
As the research from the Making Carbon Removal Work program continues to evolve, one thing is clear:
Africa has the potential to become a global leader in sustainable carbon removal, provided the right mix of policy support, investment, technological innovation, and community engagement is achieved.