Africa mCDR Roadmap: Public Consultation

This side event marks a significant milestone: the first official consultation on the Africa Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Roadmap following its draft release in Mombasa the week prior. Convened by Ocean Visions, CSIR and SAILOR (South African Innovation Lab for Ocean Climate Resilience), in partnership with the NRF's Future Earth Africa Hub, this session invites researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across the continent and beyond to review, interrogate, and shape the roadmap ahead of its finalisation.

The Africa mCDR Roadmap represents a continental scientific partnership — spanning institutions including the University of Stellenbosch, the University of Cape Town, to the Technical University of Mombassa; aimed at advancing the science, governance, and responsible deployment of ocean-based carbon removal in Africa. With mCDR rising on the agenda of UNFCCC, CBD, and the London Convention and Protocol, this consultation is an opportunity to ensure African voices, priorities, and knowledge systems are central to the global conversation.

Participants will engage in structured roundtable discussions on:

• The current state of mCDR science in Africa and key knowledge gaps
• Governance and policy frameworks for responsible mCDR deployment
• Community and indigenous knowledge integration
• Pathways to pilot trials and infrastructure integration
• Continental and international collaboration opportunities

Who should attend: Researchers, government representatives, coastal community practitioners, NGOs, and private sector actors with an interest in ocean-based climate solutions, blue economy, and sustainable development in Africa.