Register a carbon project with NEMA (National Carbon Registry)
National Environment Management Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Apply to NEMA, the Designated National Authority for carbon markets, with a project concept note, meeting minutes and the application fee (KSh 10,000 for citizens). NEMA issues a letter of no objection within 14 working days; you then have 12 months to submit the project design document for approval.
- Fee
- KSh 10,000Project application fee (citizen)KSh 100,000Project application fee (non-citizen)KSh 100,000Project design document fee (citizen)KSh 200,000Project design document fee (non-citizen)KSh 150,000Administrative fee on approval (15,000 credits a year or less)KSh 300,000Administrative fee on approval (more than 15,000 credits a year)
- How long
- Letter of no objection within 14 working days; letter of approval within 51 working days of submitting the project design document.
- Where
- NEMA, the Designated National Authority for carbon markets (Popo Road, South C, Nairobi). The National Carbon Registry is at ncr.nema.go.ke.
What you need
- Project concept note (Form PCN) and minutes of your meeting approving the project
- Proof of ownership of the land or property, or the owner's written consent
- Letter of support from the county where the project will run
- For projects on community land: proof of free, prior and informed consent
- With the project design document: government approvals, stakeholder report, validation report and (for public or community land) a community development agreement
Steps
- Apply to the Designated National Authority with the project concept note (Form PCN), your meeting minutes and the application fee.
- Receive a letter of no objection, which NEMA aims to issue within 14 working days.
- Within 12 months, submit the project design document with the required approvals, reports and fee.
- Pay the administrative fee and receive the letter of approval, which NEMA aims to issue within 51 working days of getting the design document.
Watch out
- If you miss the 12-month window for the design document, you must ask for an extension in writing (up to 12 more months).
- There is also a per-credit fee (USD 0.10 per credit for the first 15,000, USD 0.20 above that, paid in shillings) due within 30 days of selling issued credits.
Who can apply
- Carbon project developers (project proponents). NEMA is the Designated National Authority that registers projects and keeps the national carbon registry.
- A company counts as a citizen for fees only if it is wholly owned by citizens.
Official sources (4)
- NEMA Service Charter 2025-2027 (Booklet) nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- NEMA Resolved Service Charter 2025-2027 nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- The Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024 (L.N. 84 of 2024) nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- National Carbon Registry ncr.nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026