Nigeria’s Gashaka Gumti National Park has been selected as one of Africa’s flagship nature-based climate projects under the UK-backed Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE).
The park’s forest carbon initiative was chosen from more than 100 applications across 28 countries, securing a place among just four projects to receive support in CAPE’s first round. The programme aims to channel investment into projects that cut emissions, restore ecosystems, and deliver lasting benefits for local communities.
The Gashaka Gumti project will focus on regenerating degraded forests in Nigeria’s largest and most biodiverse national park. Beyond environmental restoration, it is expected to create opportunities for community participation and sustainable livelihoods.
Alongside Nigeria, three other projects made the final list: Kenya’s Papariko Mangroves, set to restore coastal mangrove ecosystems; Tanzania’s Rubeho Mountains initiative, which will protect and regenerate forests in the Eastern Arc range; and Zambia’s Barotse Rangelands programme, combining ecosystem rehabilitation with livestock management.
According to CAPE organisers, projects were evaluated for their scalability, environmental and social impact, and alignment with investor priorities. Initiatives that demonstrated the potential to deliver measurable benefits to local communities while enhancing biodiversity were prioritised.
Launched in November 2024, CAPE is funded by FSD Africa—a UK financial sector development agency—in collaboration with the African Natural Capital Alliance and Finance Earth. The programme was designed to address the chronic financing gap that prevents many early-stage carbon projects from moving beyond concept to execution.
Through recoverable grants and targeted advisory services, CAPE seeks to help projects achieve investment readiness and attract private capital. With 62% of Africa’s GDP tied to natural capital, organisers say strengthening these initiatives is critical for both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
For Nigeria, the Gashaka Gumti Forest Carbon Project is projected to deliver wide-ranging benefits, including sequestering millions of tonnes of carbon, safeguarding endangered species, restoring fragile ecosystems, and supporting local economies through green jobs and sustainable practices.
By joining CAPE’s pioneering cohort, the project positions Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s growing carbon market and highlights the country’s role in advancing nature-based solutions to climate change.
About the Author
