Malawi’s fight against land degradation has entered a new phase one where trees are not just symbols of conservation, but currency in the global carbon market. This transformation aligns closely with Malawi 2063’s vision of a climate-smart and resilient economy.
Under the Global EverGreening Alliance’s Restore Africa Project, which commenced in 2022 and will span 30 years, communities across the country are discovering that protecting the environment can also mean improving livelihoods.
The initiative, led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in partnership with organisations such as World Vision, CARE, and CADECOM, supports Malawi’s goal of restoring seven million hectares of degraded land a target anchored in national land restoration and climate policies.
So far, more than 220,000 hectares, roughly five percent of that target, are already under restoration. Operating in districts including Mangochi, Zomba, Neno, and Chitipa, the project helps thousands of smallholder farmers adopt sustainable land management and tree-based farming systems a practical step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Transitioning from policy to practice, Chief of Party for the Restore Africa Programme in Malawi, Jonathan Thomas, said the project is designed to restore land while improving lives.
“Malawi is one of the most affected countries in the world when it comes to climate change. We’re seeing increasing incidences of droughts, floods, and catastrophic events that affect farming systems and livelihoods,” said Thomas.
“Through Restore Africa, we’re helping smallholder farmers incorporate trees into their farming systems increasing soil fertility, providing shade, and building resilience to climate change.”
Thomas for restored land in Malawi and Africa as a whole
According to CRS Technical Advisor for Carbon and Markets, Juma Masumba, what sets the initiative apart is its innovative financing model. Unlike traditional donor-funded conservation projects, this one is powered by carbon finance, aligning with the African Union’s Green Recovery Action Plan, which promotes market-based solutions to restore ecosystems and build resilience.
“It’s not business as usual,” said Masumba.
“We have to demonstrate that the trees are growing and capturing carbon. Only then does the money flow. The trees must live, and the carbon they store must be verifiable.”
This process, known as carbon sequestration, enables trees and healthy soils to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, storing it as biomass. Each tonne of carbon captured can be converted into a carbon credit a valuable asset for companies and governments seeking to offset emissions under global climate agreements.
For local farmers, this offers a long-term incentive to protect the environment.
“A tree is now an asset,” said Masumba. “Farmers can earn an income simply by nurturing and keeping trees alive for years. Even after harvesting fruits, they continue to benefit from the carbon stored in those same trees.”
Already, over nine million trees have been planted or are under management, and 67,000 farmers have signed carbon-sharing agreements. For communities that once depended heavily on charcoal production or unsustainable agriculture, the project is turning degraded land into a source of income and resilience. This shift supports both Malawi’s National Charcoal Strategy and its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.
Building on that, Jonathan Thomas noted that the project’s carbon-based investment model also has the potential to strengthen the national economy.
“The Government of Malawi has developed a carbon market framework that sets out how fees and taxes are recovered from investors,” explained Thomas.
“This will generate income not just for the national treasury, but also for district and community levels. It’s a long-term investment that strengthens livelihoods and soil health the foundation of Malawi’s future wealth.”
Meanwhile, Titus Linzie, President of the Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi, said the initiative has been an eye-opener for journalists.
“This is more than planting trees. It’s about reshaping mindsets. If we manage our land wisely, we are managing our future. Journalists must help citizens see that trees are not obstacles to farming, but assets that help them on their path to prosperity.”
Environmental activist, Mathews Malata, echoed this sentiment, urging Malawi to rethink how it values forests and natural resources in the age of carbon trading.
“We must begin to see trees as economic assets carbon is the new cash crop for Malawi. Before celebrating any carbon deal, we must ask how communities, government, and the private sector will truly benefit,” said Malata.
As the Global EverGreening Alliance’s Restore Africa Project progresses, it is redefining how conservation and commerce intersect. It tells a new story one aligned with Malawi 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals where carbon is no longer the problem, but the product that can generate foreign exchange for the country.
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