Develop a COMESA Model Policy on the Carbon Market

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMESA MODEL POLICY FRAMEWORK ON CARBON MARKET DEVELOPMENT -ZM-COMESA-553250-CS-QCBS.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) received a grant from the World Bank towards the implementation of the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) program and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards the provision of consultancy services for the development of the carbon policy framework on carbon market development.

COMESA intends to develop a Model Policy Framework for Carbon Markets that will :

• Provide structured, non-binding guidance to Member States.
• Support readiness for high-integrity participation in carbon markets.
• Promote regional coordination and policy convergence where appropriate; and
• Ensure alignment of carbon market development with COMESA’s climate, energy, and broader development priorities. The proposed Model Policy Framework will provide structured, nonbinding guidance to Member States, enabling them to establish robust and transparent systems for carbon market participation while preserving national sovereignty. It will emphasize principles of environmental integrity, transparency, accountability, and equitable benefitsharing, ensuring that carbon market activities contribute meaningfully to sustainable growth and resilience. The framework will also outline institutional arrangements, including national focal points and a regional coordination platform under the COMESA Secretariat, to facilitate policy convergence, knowledge sharing, and collective engagement in international negotiations.

In addition, the framework will provide technical guidance on monitoring, reporting, and verification systems, carbon registries, and safeguards against double counting, thereby supporting Member States in meeting international standards. It will promote regional cooperation through shared standards for carbon credit quality, mechanisms for crossborder projects, and the establishment of a regional knowledge hub. Importantly, the framework will align carbon market development with COMESA’s broader climate, energy, and development priorities, with potential to link carbon finance to renewable energy expansion and productive use of energy

By advancing this initiative, COMESA will strengthen institutional capacity across the region, enhance transparency and accountability, and foster investor confidence. The framework will help Member States avoid the pitfalls of fragmented approaches, build collective bargaining power in global climate negotiations, and ensure that carbon market participation supports inclusive and sustainable development. Ultimately, the Model Policy Framework will serve as a strategic tool to guide Member States toward highintegrity engagement in carbon markets, reinforcing COMESA’s role as a driver of regional integration and sustainable transformation.

2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

3.1 OVERALL GOAL

To enhance and strengthen the enabling policy environment for high integrity carbon market development in the COMESA and ASCENT region by establishing a harmonized Model Carbon Market Policy Framework and Implementation Plan that supports Member States in mobilizing carbon finance to accelerate sustainable energy access.

3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assignment is to support the COMESA Secretariat in:

• Developing a comprehensive, practical, and adaptable Model Policy Framework for Carbon Markets for use by COMESA Member States and ASCENT countries.
• Piloting the application of the Model Policy Framework in two COMESA Member States or ASCENT countries, to evaluate its usability and flexibility.
• Identify implementation challenges and capacity gaps; and refine the framework based on realworld country experience. The Model Policy Framework shall:

• Be consistent with the Paris Agreement, in particular Article 6
• Reflect COMESA’s experience with model policy development and harmonization.
• Support environmental integrity, transparency, and sustainable development.
• Be applicable to COMESA Member States and ASCENT countries at various stages of carbon market readiness. Full detailed TORs may be downloaded in English from the following link: https://www.comesa.int/consulting-services-for-the-development-of-the-comesa-model-policy-framework-on-carbon-market-development/ or can be obtained from the COMESA Secretariat on request using the email provided below:

Attn: Mr. Silver Mwesigwa

Head of Procurement

Email: [email protected]

3.0 SHORTLISTING CRITERIA

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria is as follows.