Could Africa’s agricultural sector become a frontline solution to climate change—while unlocking new income streams for farmers? Advances in digital technology suggest that carbon farming may offer exactly that opportunity.

Since 2014, Orange has been rolling out digital agricultural services across Africa aimed at improving farmer incomes, boosting productivity and strengthening producers’ positions within agricultural value chains. These solutions range from advisory and marketplace services to farm management tools. Increasingly, the company’s research is also exploring how digital technologies could support the emergence of carbon farming across the continent.

Carbon farming and Africa’s climate opportunity

Carbon farming is gaining traction as a practical response to climate change and land degradation, while offering significant development potential for Africa. Unlike intensive farming systems that deplete soils and reduce their capacity to store carbon, carbon farming promotes regenerative agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance soil carbon sequestration.

At its core, carbon farming draws from conservation agriculture and regenerative farming principles. These approaches focus on restoring soil health and strengthening its role as a carbon sink, while delivering co-benefits such as improved water retention, better biodiversity protection and greater resilience to climate shocks.

The model rests on three primary pillars: minimal soil disturbance through no-till practices; permanent soil cover using cover crops or intercropping; and diversified crop rotation to avoid monocultures. A fourth, equally critical pillar is knowledge. Transitioning to carbon-smart agriculture requires hands-on technical support, advisory services and close collaboration between farmers and agricultural experts to ensure adoption and long-term success.

Why carbon farming matters for African producers

Agriculture remains the backbone of African economies, accounting for more than half of all jobs and approximately 15 percent of GDP. Dominated by smallholder producers, the sector faces mounting challenges, including climate variability, soil degradation and limited access to finance.

The African Union’s Soil Initiative for Africa aims to reverse declining soil health across the continent, and carbon farming is increasingly seen as a viable tool to support this ambition. According to the study Carbon farming in Africa: Opportunities and challenges for engaging smallholder farmers, compensating farmers for adopting agroecological practices could play a transformative role.

This Payment for Environmental Services (PES) model, linked to carbon markets, offers a way to align climate mitigation with rural economic development. By monetising environmentally friendly practices through carbon credits, African farmers could gain new income streams while contributing to global climate goals.

For producers, the potential benefits are twofold. On the economic side, carbon farming can improve operational efficiency, lower production costs, open access to premium markets and generate additional income from carbon credit sales. A recent Boston Consulting Group study demonstrates the economic viability of this model in Europe, with strong indications that similar outcomes could be achieved in African contexts.

At the same time, the environmental and social benefits are substantial. Healthier soils, improved water quality and reduced emissions contribute to more sustainable farming systems and improved livelihoods, creating a positive feedback loop between productivity and environmental stewardship.

How carbon markets function

Many corporate activities generate unavoidable carbon emissions. While reduction remains the priority, residual emissions can be addressed through carbon offsetting mechanisms. These systems, established under international frameworks such as the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, allow emissions reductions to be traded through carbon credits.

Initially, regulated carbon markets were created for high-emitting industries, where companies could trade unused emissions allowances. In 2000, the UNFCCC introduced voluntary carbon markets, enabling businesses and individuals to support certified carbon sequestration projects globally.

The cost of carbon credits varies depending on factors such as project type, geography, certification standards and market demand. The Paris Agreement further expanded carbon market mechanisms through Article 6, enabling both country-to-country and public–private carbon trading arrangements.

However, the voluntary carbon market has faced credibility challenges due to cases of fraud and weak verification. In response, COP26 led to the establishment of a UN Supervisory Body under Article 6.4 to strengthen oversight. Its recommendations, adopted at COP29, introduced centralised registries, independent auditing and safeguards against double counting—steps expected to restore confidence in the market.

Building trust through standards and verification

A functioning carbon offset market depends on credible certification systems to validate projects and carbon credits. The two most widely used voluntary standards are Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Gold Standard.

Yet establishing carbon farming at scale in Africa remains complex. Barriers include regulatory gaps, limited farmer awareness and the technical difficulty of measuring soil carbon accurately and affordably. Farmers must see tangible productivity gains, receive proper training, and access early-stage financial incentives to support the transition.

One of the most significant challenges lies in Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV). Reliable MRV systems are essential to ensure the integrity of carbon credits, but no single global methodology currently exists. International research initiatives, including ORCaSa and the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium, are working toward harmonised MRV frameworks that can be adapted to local conditions.

The role of digital and satellite technologies

Technological innovation is increasingly seen as the key to overcoming measurement challenges. Accurately quantifying soil carbon at scale requires low-cost, reliable solutions suitable for smallholder systems.

Recent studies in Kenya have compared multiple measurement approaches, including laboratory soil sampling, field sensors, satellite imagery and modelling. While satellite-based methods are currently less precise, they are gaining acceptance within certification standards.

A notable example is Boomitra, which received Verra certification in 2025 for an AI-powered MRV system based on satellite data. This development signals growing recognition of remote sensing as a viable pathway for scalable carbon measurement.

Orange Innovation’s research initiative, From Space to Field, is exploring similar applications. By combining artificial intelligence with satellite imagery, the project aims to detect early crop stress, disease and nutrient deficiencies, while offering practical agronomic advice to farmers.

One outcome of this work is ZitApp, developed for Tunisia’s olive sector, which enables producers to access satellite-based insights via a user-friendly mobile interface. The same technical foundation could be adapted to assess carbon sequestration potential across agricultural plots.

Orange’s strategic opportunity

Aligned with its mission to promote a responsible digital future, Orange is investing in research to support soil carbon measurement through AI and remote sensing. In partnership with the Digital Research Center of Sfax (CRNS), the company is developing models to estimate above- and below-ground biomass—key indicators of carbon capture—using satellite imagery and leaf area index analysis.

These digital models are being validated through field observations by agronomists from Tunisia’s Institut de l’Olivier. Looking ahead to 2026, the objective is to deliver a simple, accessible and reliable service that enables African farmers to assess their land’s carbon sequestration potential and participate in sustainable carbon markets.

A development pathway for Africa

Carbon farming represents more than a climate solution—it is a strategic development opportunity for Africa. By integrating digital innovation, farmer support systems and credible carbon markets, the continent can position agriculture as both an environmental asset and an engine of inclusive growth.

Through initiatives such as this, Orange aims to contribute to the emergence of a more resilient, equitable and sustainable African agricultural sector—one where climate action and economic opportunity advance hand in hand.