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West African Alliance Carbon Market Hub in Senegal

Date: August 1, 2025

The West African Carbon Markets Hub in Senegal culminates in a validated Declaration by Alliance countries

[You can find the declaration in our publications, here]

[You can find the full report of the event in our publications, here]

The West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance (WAA or the Alliance) held from May 28-30 in Pointe Sarène, Senegal. The hub culminated in a jointly validated declaration from West African government representatives sending out a strong signal of the region’s collective commitment to leveraging carbon markets and climate finance for climate action and sustainable development.

Co-organized by the Alliance, the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Senegal (MEDDTE), GGGI, VCMI and IETA-BPMI, the Hub emphasized cross-sector collaboration and promoted open knowledge exchange. Discussions focused on both policy and implementation while also creating a space for exploring opportunities in key sectors of the region such as energy, transport, waste and nature-based solutions. Over 300 participants, including government representatives, technical experts, project developers, investors and civil society representatives were present at the Hub.

Following a Ministerial Roundtable on the last day of the Hub, a Declaration was adopted, outlining 10 key commitments. The aim of the Declaration is to build a just, inclusive and sovereign climate future for the region, strengthening ties among West African countries.

Day 1

The first day of the West African Carbon Market Hub 2025 laid the groundwork for a series of practical, solution-oriented discussions on advancing carbon markets in the region. As private investment and carbon markets are fast evolving, the day emphasized the need for integrity, alignment and collaboration to unlock West Africa’s potential. Throughout the day, three themes resonated clearly: the urgency of capacity-building to close technical and institutional gaps, the value of regional knowledge-sharing and partnerships, and the non-negotiable role of integrity in building markets that deliver measurable climate and development outcomes.

Day 2

On the second day, interactive sessions brought experts and practitioners together to delve into the building blocks of functional, high-integrity carbon markets. Twelve technical sessions throughout the day highlighted regional priorities, innovative tools and practical pathways for implementation, and covered the core knowledge-exchange platform of the Hub.

Day 3

The final day of the Hub served to outline strategic direction built on regional initiatives and political leadership to chart a collective path forward. In a Ministerial Roundtable, ministers and senior officials from across West Africa voiced a shared commitment to scale high-integrity carbon markets and unlock transformative climate action. The outcome of the discussion was the adoption of a joint regional Declaration that outlines shared priorities and reinforces collaboration across countries. Key commitments in the Declaration include:

  1. Carbon Markets as Drivers of Sustainable Development and Economic Sovereignty
  2. Commitment to Implementing Article 6 and Alignment with UNFCCC decisions
  3. Strengthening National Capacities and Governance Structures
  4. Regional Capacity Building and Inclusive Participation
  5. Advocating for Harmonization and Standardization
  6. Strengthening Integrity, Fair Pricing, and Benefit Sharing
  7. Creation of a Common Carbon Market Platform in West Africa
  8. Recognizing the role of the Public and Private Sector, Local Communities and Civil Society
  9. Strengthening International Partnerships and Financial Mobilization
  10. Strengthening the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance

Through this Declaration, the West African Alliance recognizes its central and active role in supporting, mobilizing, and harmonizing regional initiatives, ensuring coordinated efforts to realize the ambitios expressed in ten key commitments.

As the Hub concluded, it was clear that integrity, transparency and inclusion will continue to guide the region’s path forward. The conversations, partnerships and commitments made in Pointe Sarène have laid a strong foundation for the actions and progress to come.

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