Staff Writer
Namibian private equity firm Tulive Private Equity has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Tanzania to support the establishment of a carbon registry and carbon agency in Zanzibar.
The agreement was signed on 26 February 2026 and forms part of the firm’s expansion into other African markets.
The proposed carbon registry will create a system to collect carbon-related revenue from aviation and maritime operators transporting cargo and passengers to and from Zanzibar.
Unlike traditional carbon credit or tax systems that focus on emissions produced within a country, the proposed registry will target operators whose air and sea traffic affects the host country’s environment.
Funds collected through the registry will be channelled into climate and social development projects through a dedicated carbon agency.
The initiatives are expected to include renewable energy, water infrastructure and sustainable agriculture projects aimed at supporting communities affected by environmental impacts linked to transport activities.
Carbon registry systems of this type already operate in several African countries, including Djibouti, Gabon and Liberia.
Tulive’s technical partner for the Zanzibar project is based in Djibouti.
Tulive was represented at the signing by founding directors Iyaloo ya Nangolo and Ian Oosthuysen, as well as chief executive officer Arthur Katsvara.
The firm’s local partner, Safari Solutions Limited, also attended the signing ceremony.
The Zanzibar government was represented by Maryam Abdulla, principal secretary in the first vice president’s office.
She said the initiative would apply the “polluter pays” principle to address environmental impacts linked to air and marine traffic.
Tulive said the project would provide the Zanzibar government with additional financial resources to support climate mitigation efforts aligned with its commitments under the Paris Agreement without requiring upfront government capital.
The development also highlights the role of Namibian investment institutions in projects beyond the country’s borders.
The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has supported Tulive’s growth. The firm has managed a debt infrastructure fund on behalf of the fund since 2019 and acts as general partner of ANIREP Limited.
Tulive said it is also engaging the Namibian government on the possible introduction of a similar carbon registry project in Namibia.
