Kenya’s New National Carbon Registry, Explained

On 17 February 2026, Kenya officially launched its National Carbon Registry  a centralised digital platform for tracking, validating and overseeing carbon reduction projects across the country. Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa described it as “the digital heartbeat of Kenya’s green economy,” and the launch marks a significant step in how Kenya manages and safeguards its carbon market.

What the National Carbon Registry Does

  • Digitises the entire carbon project approval workflow, from initial concept submission through to final approval.
  • Requires carbon projects already certified under international standards  Gold Standard, Verra and Plan Vivo  to also register locally.
  • Provides a public portal showing registered projects, their locations and design documents.
  • Helps prevent double-counting of carbon credits across different registries and buyers.

Who Runs It

The registry is overseen by Kenya’s Environment Ministry, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Climate Change Directorate, with the Designated National Authority (DNA) acting as the government’s carbon oversight body. Its development was supported by the European Union and Germany, through GIZ Kenya.

Why It Matters

For years, Kenya’s carbon market activity has depended largely on external verification standards, with limited local oversight or visibility. The National Carbon Registry changes that by giving the country its own transparent system of record. It strengthens Kenya’s compliance with the transparency requirements of the Paris Agreement, and positions the country’s carbon credits as sovereign national assets rather than assets managed primarily through foreign registries.

What This Means for Carbon Project Developers and Buyers

For project developers, the registry adds a mandatory local registration step alongside existing international certification, and brings greater scrutiny and public visibility to project design documents and locations  a change that should ultimately benefit credible, well-run projects by raising the bar for the market as a whole. For buyers and investors, the registry offers stronger assurance against double-counting and an easier way to verify project legitimacy through the public portal, reducing due diligence risk.

How to Prepare

  • Audit existing or planned carbon projects for alignment with National Carbon Registry requirements.
  • Build internal measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) capacity to support registry-grade data.
  • Seek advisory support to navigate the local registration process alongside international certification.

 

Lybra supports carbon project developers and buyers through Environmental Compliance Services and Climate Risk and Opportunity Management, helping organisations navigate Kenya’s evolving carbon market requirements with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is registration on the National Carbon Registry mandatory?

Yes, carbon projects operating in Kenya are required to register locally, including projects already certified under international standards such as Gold Standard, Verra or Plan Vivo.

Does this replace Gold Standard or Verra certification?

No. The National Carbon Registry operates alongside these international standards, adding a layer of local government oversight rather than replacing existing certification.

How does the registry prevent double-counting?

By maintaining a centralised, publicly visible record of all registered projects and their credits, the registry makes it possible to cross-check claims and prevent the same carbon credit from being sold or claimed more than once.

Have a carbon project that needs to be registry-ready? Get in touch with Lybra to discuss your compliance pathway.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advisory advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, regulatory frameworks and requirements referenced here may change. Organizations should seek tailored guidance from Lybra or a qualified professional before making decisions based on this content.