Djibouti has presented its approach to carbon pricing for international transport to the Government of Tanzania as part of discussions on emissions from the maritime and aviation sectors.
Talks held on March 25 in Dodoma between Tanzania’s National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC) and Djibouti’s Africa Sovereign Carbon Registry Foundation focused on Djibouti’s existing framework, which applies carbon pricing to high-emitting sectors and channels revenues into climate mitigation projects.
ASCR Secretary General Ambassador Ahmed Araita Ali said that under Djibouti’s current system, vessels calling at its ports must ‘transparently report and pay for their carbon emissions in line with international standards’.
Revenues from the scheme are being directed towards renewable energy, forest conservation and coastal protection. The goal, Ambassador Ali said, ‘is to build a unified, transparent, and credible African carbon system that allows the continent to speak with one voice in global carbon markets’.
Tanzanian officials highlighted the country’s existing infrastructure, including the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, as well as international airports, during the discussions.
Historically, African countries have captured only a limited share of global carbon trading revenues despite hosting significant natural carbon sinks.
Dr Richard Muyungi, Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), said: ‘This partnership could establish Tanzania as a hub for aviation and maritime carbon trade in Africa. [It] is about strengthening Africa’s negotiating power and ensuring that the continent benefits directly from carbon trading mechanisms.’
Djibouti’s model demonstrates how port-based carbon pricing could be applied across other African economies as a mechanism for high-emitting sectors to contribute to climate financing.
Wider adoption will depend on robust monitoring, reporting and verification systems, as well as regulatory coordination between states. There are also questions surrounding pricing levels, enforcement and the potential impact on trade competitiveness for smaller operators.
