The African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) has successfully launched the Sukur Landscape Community Carbon Market (SLCCM), a pioneering, community-led carbon initiative anchored at the Sukur Cultural Landscape, Nigeria’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa’s first cultural landscape.
The launch took place during the UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative 2025, held from 13th to 17th November 2025 in the Sukur Kingdom, Adamawa State. The initiative marks a significant milestone in linking cultural heritage preservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate finance to create sustainable, community-owned development pathways.
The SLCCM was officially flagged off through extensive community engagement sessions, drawing over 200 youths and women, followed by a Carbon Credits Sensitization, Awareness, and Capacity-Building Programme attended by more than 100 community participants. A major outcome of the launch was the formal establishment of the Sukur Heritage Carbon Cooperative, designed to ensure transparent community ownership, benefit-sharing, and long-term sustainability of the carbon market initiative.
Unlike conventional carbon projects, the SLCCM builds on Sukur’s centuries-old indigenous land-use systems, recognized by UNESCO, as a foundation for scalable, nature-based climate solutions. By revitalizing traditional agroecological practices and restoring degraded hillside terraces, sacred groves, and watersheds, the initiative aims to sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, and create dignified green livelihoods, particularly for youth and women.
The SLCCM launch aligns with the WHV Sukur 2025 local theme, “Empowering Communities through Climate Action and Sustainability,” positioning Sukur as a pilot model for integrating heritage conservation with climate finance through community-driven carbon markets.
In line with cultural protocol, the AFIDFF delegation paid homage to His Royal Highness Dr. Ali Danburam, the Ptil Madagali, alongside the District Head of Sukur, Sir Markus Ezra Makarma, and the Hidi of Sukur, Luka Gizik, all of whom formally endorsed the initiative. Community representatives of youth, women, and men also publicly affirmed their support, emphasizing strong local ownership and collective commitment to the programme’s success.
The programme was funded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), with institutional support from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, Adamawa State, the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) and the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC).
Throughout the Action Camp, volunteers and community members engaged in heritage documentation, cultural immersion, environmental restoration, and structured dialogues with traditional custodians, strengthening conservation practices and enhancing the site’s resilience to climate and environmental pressures.
Speaking at the close of the programme, the Director-General of AFIDFF, Malame Mangzha reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to sustained collaboration with Sukur communities, heritage authorities, and development partners to safeguard the site’s unique cultural and natural attributes, while advancing inclusive climate solutions.
AFIDFF extends its sincere appreciation to all partners and stakeholders who contributed to the success of WHV Sukur 2025 and the launch of the Sukur Landscape Community Carbon Market. Special gratitude is extended to the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as the principal funding partner. AFIDFF also acknowledges the invaluable support of the traditional institutions of Sukur and Madagali, as well as the dedication of all volunteers and collaborating partners whose collective efforts made the programme a resounding success.
