Building a Climate-Smart Future Through Monthly Calls and Strategic Formalization

CBEN members during the Monthly Call

As the Circular Bioeconomy Network (CBEN) continues its journey toward formalization with Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, the process is steadily moving forward toward official government recognition. This milestone will strengthen CBEN’s ability to autonomously address the challenges and barriers facing Kenya’s food system as it transitions from dependence on fossil fuels, environmental pollution, wastefulness, and resource depletion — toward a regenerative, just, and sustainable circular bio-nutrient economy anchored in climate-smart agriculture.

A key step in this process has already been achieved — the successful acquisition of a Letter of No Objection from the Ministry of Agriculture. This crucial document represents a major stride toward formal recognition and brings CBEN closer to realizing its long-term vision.

Africa Climate Summit 2

This month’s discussion reflected on insights from the Africa Climate Summit 2, which drew significant participation and emphasized the importance of regional integration in carbon markets. The summit underscored the need to build capacity in smaller countries, addressing concerns about the pervasive belief that Africa cannot progress without external assistance.

Some of the CBEN members at the African Climate Summit 2 in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia

Kea noted an emerging sense of optimism from the summit, highlighting the urgency of balancing economic growth with carbon reduction targets by 2030. Central to the discussion was the question of how effectively African governments can collaborate with innovators and support climate recovery solutions across the continent.

The conversation also spotlighted ongoing challenges in waste recycling, particularly the limited government initiative compared to the proactive efforts of NGOs and the private sector. This gap reinforces the need for stronger standards and local auditing capabilities to enhance transparency and credibility in carbon credit markets across Africa.

Overall, the summit provided deep and impactful conversations about Africa’s pivotal role in sustainability and carbon markets. The continent now stands at a defining moment — ready to shape and drive its own climate-forward future on its own terms.

2025 Study Tour

As CBEN looks ahead, attention now turns to the 2025 Study Tour, which will focus on biochar and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technologies in Kenya’s Western Region.

A key highlight will be the practical demonstration of Eco2librium’s digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) tool, showcasing how digital innovation can track biochar production, carbon sequestration, and environmental impact.

As CBEN looks ahead, attention now turns to the 2025 Study Tour, which will focus on Biochar Production and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) integration technologies in Kenya’s Western Region. A key highlight will be the practical demonstration of Eco2librium’s digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) tool, showcasing how digital innovation can track biochar production, carbon sequestration, and environmental impact. The tour aims to deepen participants’ understanding of scalable biochar technologies and C-sink project management, introduce the dMRV tool as a reliable digital system for monitoring and certification of carbon removal projects, highlight bamboo biochar as a climate-smart livelihood model linking environmental protection with farmer income opportunities, and promote integrated waste recovery systems through Black Soldier Fly enterprises as complementary nutrient and carbon recovery solutions.

Through this initiative, CBEN seeks to strengthen its role as a regional knowledge-sharing hub, expanding farmer networks and partnerships across Kenya, East Africa, and beyond.

By Erick O. Abala

Head of Communications-CBEN