23/03/2026
Nigeria has reached a major milestone in its climate and economic journey, officially approving the export of carbon credits from clean cooking projects for the very first time.
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) issued a Letter of Authorization to BURN, a leading clean energy company, granting approval to transfer carbon credits to the international aviation offset scheme, CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).
This authorization covers an impressive 5.2 million carbon credits, generated through the widespread distribution of energy-efficient cookstoves. Through this initiative, BURN and its partners, including Key Carbon, can now trade these verified emissions reductions on the international market under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
This development positions Nigeria within a growing network of countries leveraging Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). This system enables nations and organizations to collaborate to reduce emissions while meeting their climate targets.
This approval comes at a time when Nigeria is actively building a robust domestic carbon market. With increasing global pressure, particularly from policies like the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), there is a clear urgency for industries to decarbonize.
In response, the Federal Government launched the Nigerian Carbon Market Activation Policy (NCMAP) in 2025. This framework aims to unlock up to $2.5 billion in climate finance by 2030, positioning carbon trading as a key driver of national growth.
According to the Director-General of the NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Nigeria’s carbon strategy is designed not only to reduce emissions but also to ensure that climate finance delivers real value to local communities.
This development positions Nigeria within a growing network of countries leveraging Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs).
At QFN-CCC, we see this as a defining moment, one that reinforces the importance of carbon markets, climate accountability, and sustainable development in shaping Africa’s future.