Exclusive interview with Toni Heigl, founder and CEO of CarbonWise Consulting and a speaker at the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit in Johannesburg. 

Interview Summary: Toni Heigl, founder and CEO of CarbonWise Consulting, discusses the company’s role in advancing carbon markets, particularly in Africa. With around 80% of their projects based on the continent, CarbonWise focuses on integrating economics, ecology, and social inclusion in areas like e-mobility, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions. Heigl highlights Africa’s strong position in the global carbon market due to its young population, rapid growth, and abundant renewable resources. Success stories include emission-free vehicle fleets, solar power, and industrial improvements. 
 

Key challenges include navigating complex regulations and ensuring financial stability for long-term projects. Countries such as Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda are leading in Article 6 frameworks. Heigl will speak at the Carbon Markets Africa Summit, emphasizing urban sustainability and the need for collaboration across stakeholders. He sees the event as a crucial platform for building partnerships that can drive impactful climate solutions and economic growth. 

Q. Thank you for joining us. Please can we start with some background about you and your role at CarbonWise Consulting. 

Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to share my background. I am the founder and CEO of CarbonWise Consulting. Throughout my career, I have always been driven by a desire to challenge the status quo, especially when confronting urgent issues that demand our attention. The evolution of climate change into a recognized climate crisis has profoundly resonated with me, both in scientific discussions and public consciousness. 

As an engineer and project manager, I feel a strong sense of responsibility—not only in my professional role but also as a global citizen—to contribute positively to solutions in this critical area. This passion for making a difference inspired me to establish several start-up ventures, including CarbonWise Consulting. Here, my goal is to facilitate meaningful change in carbon markets and drive impactful solutions that address climate challenges. 

Q. Tell us about CarbonWise Consulting’s services and the industries that you work in. 

At CarbonWise Consulting, we focus primarily on Africa, where we operate as both consultants and investors. Our vision is to integrate economics, ecology, and social inclusion in our projects. We are pioneers in the realm of regulated international carbon markets, specifically Article 6, and we are proud to have one of the world’s first validated and authorised mitigation activities. This positions us at the forefront of shaping this evolving sector. 

Our unique expertise and practical experience allow us to collaborate effectively with partners and clients to develop and implement projects that yield sustainable benefits for both society and the environment. We concentrate on key areas such as e-mobility, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions, particularly in rapidly growing markets within developing and emerging countries. 

Q. What percentage of your work is in Africa? 

About 80% of our project work happens in Africa. South Asia and Latin America play a minor role for us. 

Q. How important is the continent for the future of carbon markets? 

Africa plays a crucial role in the future of carbon markets. It is home to some of the fastest-growing economies, driven by a young and dynamic population. This demographic advantage, coupled with the emerging recognition of future markets on the continent, presents significant economic potential. Additionally, Africa is rich in renewable energy resources, making it an ideal epicentre for carbon markets in the coming decades. The combination of these factors positions Africa as a key player in the global transition towards sustainable practices. 

Q. What are some of your favourite success stories in Africa that you can share? 

Africa has produced remarkable entrepreneurial achievements, particularly in sectors such as fintech, media, telecommunications, and the gig economy. The continent is often described as leapfrogging technologically, showcasing innovation that surpasses many parts of the world. We are proud to have contributed to several of these success stories by integrating carbon revenues into emission-free vehicle fleets, both on land and on water, as well as through solar power installations and improvements in industrial processes. These initiatives not only highlight Africa’s potential but also demonstrate the positive impact of sustainable practices on economic growth. 

Q. You are working in a system that is constantly evolving and changing. What are the main challenges in your view? 

Our mission is to build bridges and foster collaboration for climate action, acknowledging that global challenges require global solutions. We operate within a highly specialized, formalized, and regulated environment, which demands both perseverance and resilience. One of the primary challenges we face is ensuring financial stability for every programme that we set up as we navigate the often lengthy yet rewarding process of implementing carbon mitigation projects. This requires us to remain adaptable and committed, as we work to drive meaningful change in a constantly evolving landscape. 

Q. How is Africa positioned in your view to take advantage of this burgeoning opportunity? And which countries on the continent are doing the right things to prepare for carbon markets? 

Africa is strategically positioned to seize the emerging opportunities in carbon markets. Countries such as Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda have made notable advancements in developing Article 6 frameworks and attracting impactful projects, serving as pioneers in this field. While there is potential for further acceleration, the continent has established a strong and influential presence in the carbon market arena. With ongoing commitment and collaborative efforts, Africa can enhance its role and drive significant progress in sustainable development and climate action. 

Q. You are a speaker at the inaugural Carbon Markets Africa Summit. Why the decision to join this climate change journey with VUKA Group? 

I chose to join as a speaker at the inaugural Carbon Markets Africa Summit because complex carbon programs require collaboration among multiple stakeholders and a foundation of trust among all partners. Personal interactions are essential for building these relationships. I appreciate the approach and structure of the CMAS, viewing it as a crucial platform for strengthening the carbon market community. I wish everyone involved a successful event and look forward to the growth that will follow. 

Q. You are part of a sector-focused dialogue in the programme focusing on “Urban Carbon & Circular Economy.” What will be your message at the event? 

My message at the event will focus on the rapid urbanization occurring across nearly all African countries. We have been collaborating with our partners on various aspects of urban development, including city mobility, carbon-related issues in the construction sector, energy management, and recycling and waste management. These elements are intricately connected within the broader framework of city management. During the dialogue, I aim to explore how we can effectively manage these interrelated challenges, ensure they are well integrated, and identify the key priorities that need to be established for sustainable urban development. 

Q. What are your expectations of CMAS? 

I expect CMAS to facilitate the building of new connections and the reinforcement of existing relationships within the industry. By consolidating and aligning our alliances, we can strengthen the regulated carbon markets, as addressing the challenges in this sector requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders involved. 

Q. How important is such an event for the continent? 

Regional events have certainly played a role in addressing local issues, but their impact can often be limited. In contrast, global events tend to focus on high-level discussions that may hardly or at least very slowly translate into practical solutions. Given Africa’s crucial role in addressing the climate crisis, this conference is particularly significant. I look forward to leveraging this platform to forge new project alliances, partnerships, and financial agreements that can drive meaningful change across the continent. 

Exclusive interview with Daniel Okoth, Head of Carbon, SunCulture, Kenya and a speaker at the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit in Johannesburg.

Interview Summary: Daniel Okoth, Head of Carbon at SunCulture, discusses how the company leverages carbon finance to scale climate-smart agriculture in Africa. SunCulture replaces diesel and manual pumps with solar-powered irrigation systems, helping farmers increase income while generating high-quality carbon credits. The company partners with insurers, financiers, and global organizations to expand services and derisk investment. 

Okoth emphasizes Africa’s central role in the future of carbon markets, highlighting the continent’s potential to design equitable and innovative systems that benefit local communities. He cites success stories like farmers doubling their income through solar irrigation and SunCulture pioneering irrigation-based carbon credits. 

Key challenges include market volatility, unclear regulations, and cash flow pressures, but Okoth is optimistic about Africa’s positioning with strong leadership from countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda. Speaking at the Carbon Markets Africa Summit, he plans to call for faster policy frameworks and farmer-centered market design, stressing that Africa’s carbon opportunity is immense but time-sensitive. 

Q. Thank you for joining us. Please can we start with some background about you and your role at SunCulture. 

I’m Daniel Okoth, and I lead the carbon program at SunCulture. I’ve been in this role for close to three years now, and my focus has been using carbon finance to power SunCulture’s growth and impact across Africa. 

My role spans from delivering premium carbon credits from our solar water pumps, to shaping our go-to-market strategy in both the Voluntary Carbon Market and emerging compliance markets, including under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 

Before joining SunCulture, I worked on carbon due diligence systems, contributed to methodology development using Earth observation tools, and advised on structuring Corresponding Adjustment transactions between host and buyer countries. This background helps me bring both a technical and market-driven perspective to our work. 

Q. Tell us more about SunCulture and the projects you are involved in. Who are your partners?  

SunCulture is a climate-smart agriculture company focused on unlocking the potential of smallholder farmers across Africa through solar-powered irrigation and productive-use appliances. We work at the intersection of clean energy, agriculture, and climate finance — and carbon is a key enabler in all of this. 

Our core project involves replacing diesel and manual water pumps with highly efficient solar water pumps that allow farmers to grow more, earn more, and do so in a way that is climate-resilient. These systems generate high-quality, measurable carbon reductions which we bring to market as carbon credits. 

With farmer incomes both increased and more secure, we want to continue to bring more products and services to our customers that increase their incomes or reduce their risks. For example we have partnered with Turaco to offer microhealth insurance, and credit-life insurance. And we are now working with Humanity Insured and IBISA to bring parametric weather insurance to smallholder farmers. And in addition to financing our farmers to purchase our solar water pumps, and help them build their financial profile, we have now also launched an input financing product to allow them to further invest in their farms. 

We’re fortunate to have some incredible partners. Organizations like British International Investment (BII), the Shell Foundation have been instrumental in providing early stage carbon financing, and we have used platforms like Patch (amongst others) to market and sell our credits. Scaling our business has also been supported by equity financing from many organisation including equity investment from Acumen, Water Equity, and the Private Infrastructure Development Group, as well has foundations related to high net worth individuals and also Results Based Financing support from GreenMax Capital, CLASP, FSD Africa, the Beyond the Grid Foundation and the Workd Bank. Together, we’re building market ecosystems that derisk investment and ensure long-term sustainability for farmers and financiers alike. 

Q. What percentage of your work is in Africa? 

All the work (100%) of SunCulture is targeting emerging markets of Africa at the moment, where the need and opportunity for impact are immense. Everything we do—from product development to last-mile delivery to our carbon strategy—is centered on the needs of African smallholder farmers. 

That said, our mission is to develop and commercialize life-changing technology for the world’s 570 million smallholder farming households. So while Africa is our starting point, we’ve set our sights globally. The challenges faced by smallholder farmers are shared across continents, and our long-term vision is to scale our solutions wherever they’re needed most. 

Q. How important is the continent for the future of carbon markets? 

Africa is relatively early in development and  endowed with a variety of prime opportunities for growth, development and most importantly human capital building all which set precedence room for changing stereotypes that empower sustainable market practices. 

Africa is absolutely critical to the future of carbon markets. The continent is still early in its carbon journey, but it’s rich with opportunity—from its natural ecosystems to its human capital. 

What’s exciting is that Africa has the chance to build a carbon market that is equitable, innovative, and truly impactful—not just replicating systems from elsewhere, but designing solutions that work for our context. This includes supporting livelihoods, building local capacity, and ensuring that benefits from carbon flows are felt directly by communities. 

Q. What are some of your favourite success stories in Africa that you can share? 

One of my favorite success stories is watching how a single solar water pump can transform a household. I remember visiting a farmer in Machakos County, Kenya, named Margaret, who went from relying on seasonal rain and diesel generators to using a solar pump. Within one season, she had doubled her income—and was selling produce year-round. 

On the carbon side, we’ve also had major wins—we delivered some of the world’s first solar irrigation-based carbon credits, and did it in a way that puts farmers at the center. That’s the kind of success we want to replicate across the continent. 

Q. You are working in a system that is constantly evolving and changing. What are the main challenges in your view? 

One of the biggest challenges is keeping pace with a market that’s still taking shape. While there’s long-term promise in carbon, short-term volatility makes it tough to plan—especially when timelines for methodologies, approvals, or regulation are unclear. 

This uncertainty affects investment decisions and stretches our operational capacity. Managing cash flow becomes a balancing act, especially when we must deliver high-quality credits at scale while staying true to our mission. 

Q. How is Africa positioned in your view to take advantage of this burgeoning opportunity? 

Africa is incredibly well positioned—but only if we build the right systems to support long-term investment. 

We’re already seeing strong signs: innovative financing mechanisms, catalytic partnerships, and the emergence of carbon-focused financial institutions like Melanin Kapital. At SunCulture, we’re working with partners like BII and Shell Foundation to build buffered carbon ecosystems—systems that are structured to handle market shocks while delivering consistent value to farmers and investors alike. 

Projects like the Kenya BioHub—backed by EDF, Invest International, and Mauritius Bank—are further proof that the continent is serious about decarbonization. The momentum is here; we just need to align it with policy, regulation, and local capacity. 

Q. Which countries on the continent are doing the right things to prepare for carbon markets? 

We’re seeing strong leadership from countries like Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire. 

What stands out is how these countries are localizing global frameworks like the Paris Agreement. They’re developing national carbon registries, creating clarity around Corresponding Adjustments, and actively engaging the private sector. These are the kinds of signals investors are looking for—and they’re what will unlock scale. 

Q. You are a speaker at the inaugural Carbon Markets Africa Summit. Why the decision to join this climate change journey with VUKA Group? 

VUKA Group is convening the right stakeholders—from policy makers and financiers to entrepreneurs and project developers. That’s exactly the kind of platform we need to accelerate Africa’s role in carbon markets. 

SunCulture’s mission is deeply aligned with this journey. We’re not just creating carbon credits—we’re creating climate-smart livelihoods. Joining this summit allows us to share what’s working, learn from others, and push the conversation toward solutions that are rooted in Africa. 

Q. What will be your message at the event? 

Our message is simple: Africa’s carbon potential is real, but time is not on our side. 

We need to fast-track enabling frameworks—policies, verification standards, registries—so that the pace of climate finance matches the urgency on the ground. And we must design markets that benefit the people delivering the impact—especially smallholder farmers and rural communities. 

Q. What are your expectations of CMAS? 

I’m looking forward to connecting with others who are at the forefront of climate innovation—from carbon developers and financiers to regulators and tech platforms. We’ll also be sharing what we’ve built at SunCulture—a robust, proven ecosystem for premium carbon delivery. I’m excited for the conversations, the partnerships, and the learning that will come from this summit. 

Q. How important is such an event for the continent? 

It’s incredibly important. Bringing together financiers, regulators, and project developers in one space creates the kind of cross-sector dialogue we need to unlock solutions that are both ambitious and realistic. 

This isn’t just a talking shop—it’s a space to align, benchmark, and collaborate on ideas that can transform Africa’s carbon future. 

Q. Anything you would like to add? 

We’ll be sharing more at the Carbon Markets Africa Summit about the SunCulture carbon ecosystem—how we’ve built it, what we’ve learned, and where we’re going. If you’re serious about delivering premium carbon from Africa, and doing it in a way that creates real impact for farmers, we invite you to connect with us. This is just the beginning. 

Exclusive interview with Francesca Cerchia, Industries & Environment, Global Head Climate Solutions, SGS, (Société Générale de Surveillance SA), a gold sponsor at the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit in Johannesburg.

Interview Summary: Francesca Cerchia, Global Head of Climate Solutions at SGS, explains that the company supports industries worldwide through its Impact Now sustainability initiative, focused on climate, nature, circularity, and ESG assurance.

She stresses that Africa must be at the centre of voluntary carbon markets, given its potential for carbon mitigation, innovation, and job creation. A standout example is SGS’s work verifying a biochar project in Uganda, which delivers climate, soil, and community benefits. She highlights challenges such as credibility, transparency, and market volatility globally, and in Africa specifically, limited access to finance, weaker institutions, and technical gaps.

Countries like South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe are making strides, with Ghana leading on international carbon agreements. At the Carbon Markets Africa Summit, SGS will focus on the importance of trust and high standards to ensure Africa’s role in shaping the future of carbon markets.

Thank you for joining us. Please can we start with some background about you and your role at SGS.

Hello everybody, I’m Francesca and I am the Global Head for Climate Solutions with SGS. SGS is a Swiss global company, and I’ve been with the company for 13 years in November, always covering climate, environment, health and safety.

Tell us about SGS’s services and the industries that you work in.

As I mentioned, SGS is a Swiss company. We are the largest testing inspection and certification company in the world. We operate a network of roughly 2,500 labs and business facilities across 115 countries. And today we have 99,500 full-time employees.

We provide services across almost every industry, from agriculture to mining, industrial manufacturing, pharma, consumer product, you name it. We help organisations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Talking about sustainability, Impact Now for Sustainability is an initiative that we launched in November 2024. It’s a cross-business and global initiative that brings together and simplifies all of our services around four strategic pillars. The climate pillar, the nature pillar, the circularity pillar and the ESG assurance pillar. The goal is to help companies accelerate transition towards more sustainable, competitive and also internationally aligned business models. We really want to address the triple planetary crisis. So it’s climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

What percentage of your work is in Africa?

While it’s always tempting to give percentages when we answer these type of questions, I don’t necessarily believe that these metrics are realistic, and sometimes they can be misleading, especially for a company like ours. We operate, as I mentioned, globally, and we work in regions that are also at different stages of development. If I give you a percentage, that may suggest that there’s disparity or imbalance. Hence, it rarely reflects the truth of the engagement, but also the infrastructure or the impact that we have.

So let’s emphasise the substance of our work rather than the numbers. And when we look at Africa, we can’t think of Africa as a monolith. It’s a continent and there’s extraordinary diversity and opportunities but also lot of complexity. And our approach there, instead of giving you a number, is that of listening, learning but also adapting to the local context.

How important is the continent for the future of carbon markets?

I think we all know, and there’s consensus there, that Africa is definitely poised to play a critical role in the future of carbon markets. And this is because it offers a high potential for mitigation, but also opportunities for climate action and innovation in particular sectors. So it’s an opportunity to unlock climate finance that’s desperately needed, to create jobs and ensure that all of this happens in an equitable way.

Just to mention a few initiatives that resonate with Africa. We have the African Union Action Plan on the carbon markets, and this shows that there is policy momentum. That means that Africa wants to start leading rather than just be a player in the architecture of the voluntary carbon markets.

What are some of your favourite success stories in Africa that you can share?

I have one particular favourite story here and it is a standout success story. It’s our work in the Navikale biochar facility in Uganda where we have provided and we continue to provide independent verification to ensure compliance with an approved biochar methodology. We also conduct rolling audits on a periodical basis to ensure that there’s integrity and transparency. And I think this work has shown us really firsthand how biochar can be a game changer in Africa. We always hear about cookstoves, but biochar really is also one of the future sectors of incredible growth for Africa. It combines carbon removals, soil restoration but also a lot of job creation. And let’s not forget these low tech or new tech solutions in the agricultural space. So it’s a clear example for us on how integrity on carbon projects can deliver real impact on the ground.

You are working in a system that is constantly evolving and changing. What are the main challenges in your view?

Yes, you’re absolutely right. Carbon markets are evolving constantly and sometimes it’s really difficult to keep up with the changes. In terms of challenges, I’d like to talk about the global challenges first of all. So carbon markets face global challenges no matter what country or what continent. The biggest global challenge is certainly related to integrity and credibility. Several initiatives are addressing this, so I think we’re on the right path. And just to mention one, there’s ICVCM.

Then we’ve got issues with transparency, potentially, because we have a lot of fragmented standards, a lot of fragmented programmes and registries, and in some instances, even limited accredited third party verification. And the third one, again, as a global challenge is market volatility, and fluctuating demand and inconsistent prices are still there. So we need to find or strike a balance there as well, so that project developers and investors know exactly what is their return.

I think that to this then we can add some specific African challenges. For me, the main ones are, first of all, the limited access to upfront capital for project development. The second one is perhaps a weaker institutional framework and then potentially also insufficient technical expertise.

Which countries on the continent are doing the right things to prepare for carbon markets?

I think there are quite a few countries moving. I would like to start with the Carbon Markets Africa Summit host country; so let’s talk about South Africa first. It has definitely been the first country taking the first step in the right direction with implementation of the Carbon Tax Act. However, and there’s always a but, it’s delayed, and I think we all need to ask ourselves, is it actually driving real impact? Now, I’m not going to provide an answer to this. Let’s have a look at what happens in phase two and see whether or not it will actually be capable of driving a true decarbonisation.

Then I think we can mention Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Ghana in particular, as it is the most advanced today on Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, having already signed some bilateral agreements.

SGS is a gold sponsor of the inaugural Carbon Markets Africa Summit. You are sponsoring a session on “High integrity in practice – Standards, verification & market trust.” What will be SGS’s message at CMAS, and how important is such an event for the continent?

Yes, we are a gold sponsor and the decision on which events to sponsor throughout the years and throughout our businesses, goes through a process that we take very seriously. We’ve decided to sponsor because we believe that it is not just another conference, but it’s rather a platform. And it’s a platform where we see a lot of stakeholders come together, but important stakeholders. We have government representatives, investors and project developers, and it’s the right place to get the conversation going and to exchange experiences but also challenges.

I also think it is uniquely positioned because it’s got a perfect timing. It’s just before COP30 and the G20, and it’s got an ambition. So the ambition is to be a catalyst for change. I think Africa needs change because there are opportunities and these need to be taken.

Anything you would like to add?

Maybe just one closing thought. First of all, I will see you there. And the second one is: Let’s get talking because Africa carbon markets will not thrive in silence and we need all the stakeholders to work together to make sure that Africa will be at the centre of the voluntary carbon markets development. Thank you.

Interview – SGS – CMAS2025