On 26 September, Abidjan hosted a follow-up workshop that brought together private actors, experts and institutions involved in structuring voluntary carbon markets in Africa. This meeting was part of the research project ‘Exploring the Potential and Challenges of Voluntary Carbon Markets in the Global South’ led by Environment for Development (EfD) and Africa Energy Transition & Services (AETS). Designed to run from 2024 to 2026, this project aims to better understand the dynamics, potential and constraints of voluntary carbon markets in Africa, particularly in West Africa.

The main purpose of the meeting was to clarify the project's broad objectives. The project is based on a three-pronged scientific approach (stakeholder analysis, institutional analysis and impact analysis) aimed at overcoming the fragmented perceptions often associated with carbon markets in Africa and building a coherent and contextualised understanding of existing mechanisms.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to explain why this research is essential for the region. With projects related to Afforestation, Reforestation, Revegetation (ARR) and biochar gaining visibility, West African countries are at a turning point. Voluntary carbon markets offer significant economic potential, but their credibility depends on robust institutional frameworks, clearly identified stakeholders and rigorous impact assessments. The initial results presented by AETS, which is responsible for conducting interviews in Côte d'Ivoire, already demonstrate the importance of such an approach in informing decisions in the public and private sectors.

Finally, the workshop highlighted how this knowledge is being built. The information collected from key stakeholders is centralised, analysed and compared with the project's initial hypotheses. Discussions with participants enriched these initial findings, validated certain trends observed and identified areas where further investigation will be necessary. This direct interaction between researchers, practitioners and economic operators reinforced the scientific relevance of the project while ensuring better ownership of the results in the field.

By consolidating the initial observations and strengthening collaboration with local stakeholders, the workshop marked a decisive step forward. Future work will build on these contributions to refine the analysis and prepare for the final phase of the project. The expected findings will help shed light on the role West Africa can play in the emerging architecture of voluntary carbon markets, at a time when global demand for credible, high-impact credits continues to grow.