Rubicon Carbon has signed a multi-year deal with Microsoft, agreeing to supply the tech giant with 2 million high-quality Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) credits by 2035.
The credits for this agreement will come from Kijani Forestry’s Smallholder Farmer Forestry Project—one of the first initiatives to receive approval under Uganda’s Climate Change Mechanisms Regulations.
This agreement is the first transaction under the carbon removal framework announced by Rubicon Carbon and Microsoft in May 2025, which was established with a commitment to facilitate the purchase of up to 18 million tonnes of high-quality credits.
Through this framework, the partnering companies aim to expand the access to capital for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects and streamline the contracting process between the involved parties.
Kijani Forestry works with more than 50,000 smallholder farmers, helping them tap into income streams by regenerating woodlots on degraded land. To date, the partnership between the company and local farmers has resulted in 30 million planted trees that are projected to increase the farmers’ household incomes by more than 600% per acre planted.
On its mission of becoming the world’s largest and most effective tree planter and ecosystem regenerator, Kijani Forestry has also positioned itself as one of the largest employers in Northern Uganda, providing job security to over 600 full-time employees.
The agreement with Microsoft will enable Kijani Forestry’s partnering farmers to earn income from future CDR revenue within a year of planting the trees. In a longer-term perspective, once those trees mature, the farmers will be able to generate new revenue streams from sustainable timber and charcoal production.
Relevant: Rubicon Carbon & Microsoft Ink A Deal For An Eye-Catching 18M Tonnes Of CDR
Quinn Neely, co-founder and CEO of Kijani Forestry, stated, “Working with Rubicon Carbon enables us to reach more farmers, restore more land, and accelerate climate impact. This collaboration demonstrates what is possible when multi-year finance reaches communities on the frontlines of climate change.”
On behalf of Microsoft, Carbon Removal Director Phillip Goodman shared, “We are pleased to support Kijani’s work in strengthening farmer livelihoods while restoring ecosystems in Northern Uganda. The framework with Rubicon Carbon streamlines the contracting process while ensuring project quality and unlocking financing for nature-based removals.”
Read more: Microsoft Invests In Brazil-Based ERW Carbon Removal From InPlanet
