This is an initiative led by Conservation International, a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Implementing Agency, in collaboration with COMESA, RCMRD, the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa (GDSA), and the governments of Comoros, Eritrea, the Seychelles, and Zambia, is set to transform climate change monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) across Eastern and Southern Africa.

The five-year Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project is poised to revolutionise the transparency landscape within COMESA Member States, aligning their efforts with the requirements of the Paris Agreement. At its core, the project aims to establish a robust Eastern and Southern Africa Regional CBIT transparency framework, facilitating the meticulous monitoring, reporting, and verification of climate actions and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), in partnership with COMESA and other stakeholders, is implementing the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) to strengthen member states’ ability to measure, report, and verify (MRV) greenhouse gas emissions. This four year program supports countries in meeting their obligations under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).

Objectives

• Strengthen national and regional transparency frameworks for monitoring and tracking NDCs.

• Train participants on setting up and using IPCC software for MRV.

• Build institutional and consultant capacity for GHG inventory compilation.

• Developing, hosting and guiding participants in accessing and using the E Learning platform for continuous learning.

• Establish data sharing protocols and institutional frameworks across COMESA member states and create online data clearing house to be used by project countries.  

Why It Matters

Transparent carbon reporting is essential for:

• Building trust in climate action.

• Attracting climate finance.

• Supporting evidence‑based policy decisions.

• Ensuring Africa’s voice is strong in global climate negotiations.

• Countries commitment to meeting climate obligation with verifiable data