Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
Zimbabwe has strengthened its position in the global climate landscape with the launch of the Zimbabwe Carbon Market Authority (ZiCMA), the exclusive agency tasked with regulating all carbon trading activities and acting as the country’s official liaison with the United Nations on carbon market issues, an official confirmed.
Speaking at the ongoing Carbon Markets Indaba for Rural Local Authorities in Bulawayo on Thursday, Climate Change Scientist in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mr Tirivanhu Muhwati said ZiCMA’s creation was a decisive step in aligning Zimbabwe with international climate protocols under the Paris Agreement.
“Because of the nature of the carbon trading business and how intertwined it is with climate change management and mitigation, every country has to come up with a designated national authority. Ours is the Zimbabwe Carbon Market Authority,” he told delegates.
He stressed that Zimbabwe’s compliance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement means the country now has a single, internationally recognised institution authorised to engage with the UN on carbon trading issues.
“That means if you are to communicate with the United Nations in terms of carbon trading, then only one authority can do that, and only one person within that authority can do that kind of communication.
“This assists that throughout the world, as the UN tries to solve this problem, they can coordinate with all countries using one authority for each country, one person for each country,” Mr Muhwati said.
The launch of ZiCMA follows the gazetting of the Carbon Trading (General) Regulations, 2025, under Statutory Instrument 48 of 2025, formally designating the authority as Zimbabwe’s national carbon market entity.
ZiCMA’s mandate includes assessing and approving carbon trading projects, issuing official letters of approval and authorisation, registering entities and maintaining a transparent national registry of all projects and participants.
Carbon credits — tradable permits generated when projects such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives reduce or remove one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions — are increasingly valuable in helping nations and corporations meet climate targets.
Mr Muhwati said that by centralising authority and communication, Zimbabwe would be able to attract significant domestic and foreign investment into carbon projects while safeguarding national interests.
“This is about creating a transparent, credible system that protects our resources, benefits our communities and positions Zimbabwe as a competitive player in a multi-billion-dollar global market,” he added.
Held under the theme “Sustainable Future: Empowering Rural Communities Through Carbon Trading”, the indaba has drawn Rural District Councils from across the country for intensive capacity building and project development sessions.
The workshop continues tomorrow (Friday) with focus on local authority implementation of carbon trading, monitoring and verification systems and operations of the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry.
