By Business Insider Reporter, Morogoro
Tanzania is positioning itself to benefit from the fast-growing global carbon market, with the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC) emerging as a strategic institution expected to anchor the country’s participation in carbon trading and support its broader green development agenda.
Government officials say the centre will play a critical role in helping Tanzania harness the economic potential of carbon markets while strengthening climate action through sustainable environmental management.
Speaking during a working visit to the centre in Morogoro, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office responsible for Environment, Baraka Luvanda, urged the institution to expand Tanzania’s presence in international carbon markets by strengthening environmental conservation initiatives and carbon projects across key sectors of the economy.
He noted that carbon trading represents a significant opportunity for Tanzania to generate new revenue streams while promoting environmental protection.
“Participation in global carbon markets should be strengthened through conservation initiatives and carbon projects in sectors such as the blue economy, forestry and renewable energy,” Luvanda said, adding that the centre has a crucial role in building the country’s capacity to benefit from carbon trading opportunities.
Carbon trading allows countries, companies or organisations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to sell carbon credits to those seeking to offset their emissions. The system has become a key instrument in global climate mitigation efforts as nations pursue commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Experts say Tanzania is well positioned to benefit from carbon markets due to its vast natural forests, mangroves, wildlife conservation areas and growing investments in renewable energy.
Chief Executive Officer of the NCMC, Kathryn Kigaraba, said the centre will continue strengthening the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating carbon trading mechanisms as part of the country’s national climate governance framework.
“Our role is to ensure proper monitoring of greenhouse gases and to support carbon market participation so that Tanzania can maximise the economic and environmental benefits of climate initiatives,” she said.
The National Carbon Monitoring Centre was established under Section 29 of the Environmental Management Act (Cap.191) as a national strategic institution responsible for coordinating carbon-related activities and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions.
Analysts say strengthening the centre could help Tanzania tap into the rapidly expanding global carbon credit market, which is projected to grow significantly as more countries and corporations commit to net-zero emissions targets.
For Tanzania, carbon trading also aligns with broader government efforts to pursue environmentally sustainable economic growth under the National Development Vision 2050, which places climate resilience and environmental conservation among its key development pillars.
Environmental economists note that if well managed, carbon projects in forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, coastal ecosystems and renewable energy could generate millions of dollars in climate finance while supporting rural livelihoods.
The government has increasingly emphasised the role of environmental sustainability in economic transformation, recognising that protecting ecosystems such as forests and wetlands is not only essential for climate resilience but also for long-term economic stability. With global demand for carbon credits rising, officials believe that strengthening institutions such as the National Carbon Monitoring Centre could help Tanzania position itself as an important player in Africa’s emerging carbon economy while advancing its green growth ambitions.
