I remember standing in a sun-scorched field in Kenya last year, watching a fine gray dust swirl around my boots. I wasn’t planting seeds or applying fertilizer—I was spreading crushed basalt rock on the soil. To onlookers, it might have looked like I was tossing sand on a farm for no reason. But in my heart, I knew I was part of something much bigger. That day, as I scattered rock powder under the African sun, I felt a spark of hope. I realized that this humble volcanic dust could help fight climate change and transform agriculture at the same time. It was the moment I fell in love with Enhanced Rock Weathering, and it’s a moment that drives me to share this story with you.

The Science of Turning Rocks into Carbon Sinks

You might be wondering: What on earth is Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)? In simple terms, it’s a way to turn rocks into sponges for carbon dioxide. Here’s how it works: We take common silicate rocks (imagine the black basalt rocks from old lava flows), grind them into a fine powder, and spread that dust over farmland. When rain falls and mixes with the rock dust, a chemical reaction begins. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air is absorbed into the water and reacts with minerals in the dust, forming stable carbonate compounds. In plain language, the CO₂ gets locked away in new rock formations in the soil, where it can stay for thousands of years. It’s like helping the Earth inhale a bit more CO₂ and hold it in the ground.

What’s amazing is that this process is completely natural – we’re just speeding it up. Normally, rocks and rain slowly react over eons to trap CO₂ (that’s how mountains and soils have been regulating our climate long before humans showed up). But natural weathering works on geological timescales, far too slow to deal with our climate crisis. ERW turbocharges this process so it happens fast enough to matter for us. And as a bonus, when the rock dust breaks down, it releases nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and potassium into the soil. In effect, the rocks act as a natural fertilizer. Farmers could see healthier soils and better crop yields as a side-effect of fighting climate change – a true win-win.

As a climate professional (and a bit of a geology nerd), I get goosebumps thinking about the potential. Research suggests that if ERW were applied worldwide, it could pull up to 2 billion tons of CO₂ out of the atmosphere each year[1]. That’s equivalent to about half the emissions of all the cars on the planet annually. This isn’t some far-fetched theory; it’s grounded in solid science. And it gets me even more excited because no region is better suited for ERW than Africa.

Why Africa Could Lead the ERW Movement

Working in climate solutions across Africa, I’ve come to see our continent as uniquely positioned to lead this rock weathering revolution. Here’s why I believe Africa can turn this science into transformative action:

  1. Gigatonnes of Carbon Removal Potential: Africa’s geography and climate give it an enormous advantage. We have roughly 500 million hectares of arable land across the continent. If we spread finely crushed basalt on just a portion of that land, the carbon drawdown would be immense. By one estimate, applying around 5 tonnes of basalt per hectare across Africa’s farmlands could capture on the order of 500 million tons of CO₂ every year. That’s about 2% of global annual emissions – just from rocks on fields![2] To put it in perspective, that would be like cancelling out the yearly emissions of an entire country or two. And because the captured carbon ends up stored as rock minerals, it’s a permanent removal (no risk of it leaking back out, as can happen if you just store carbon in plants or soil). In a carbon-constrained world, this is huge. The market is starting to realize it too – companies and governments are willing to pay for high-quality carbon removal. Some carbon credits for permanent CO₂ removal (like direct air capture or mineralization projects) are selling for $300 to $600 per ton of CO₂[3]. With ERW, every ton of rock spread can lock away roughly 0.2 to 0.5 tons of CO₂. In financial terms, that means rock dust could be worth its weight in gold for communities that deploy it, while also doing immense good for our planet.
  2. Healthier Soils and Better Crops: I grew up seeing how African soils in many regions are tired and depleted from over-farming. ERW could help turn that around. When we spread basalt on fields, we’re not just capturing carbon – we’re also replenishing the soil with essential nutrients. Field trials in places like Brazil and the United States have shown 10–20% increases in crop yields when farmers added basalt rock dust to their fields1. Just imagine what a similar boost could mean for African farmers. Agriculture employs about 60% of Africa’s workforce, and millions of families rely on what their small plots produce. Healthier, more fertile soil means more food on the table and more income from surplus crops. It also means less need for expensive imported fertilizers because the rocks naturally fertilize the ground. In other words, ERW can improve food security and livelihoods across the continent. As someone who has worked with farming communities, this benefit feels just as important as the climate piece. It’s not often that one solution can tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges together – but here we have one.
  3. A New Climate Economy for Africa: There’s a saying: “Where there’s muck, there’s money.” In this case, where there’s rock dust, there could be revenue. The global carbon credit market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2030, as companies scramble to buy credits for verifiable carbon removal. Africa has a chance to claim a big slice of that pie by supplying top-quality carbon removal credits through ERW. We’re already seeing early signs of this opportunity. For example, Microsoft – yes, the tech giant – is betting on enhanced rock weathering as part of its strategy to go carbon negative. In 2023, Microsoft signed a deal to purchase 15,000 tons of CO₂ removal credits from ERW projects[4]. They partnered with UNDO, a company spreading basalt rock dust on farms, to make it happen. Think about that: one of the world’s most valuable companies is paying to scatter crushed rocks on fields because it works. If Microsoft can do it in Europe, we can certainly do it here in Africa at a much larger scale. In fact, just last year the first-ever African ERW credits were sold (a climate impact platform bought them from a pilot project by an African startup). The world wants this solution, and Africa can deliver. By investing in ERW, we wouldn’t just be earning revenue; we’d be attracting investment, spurring innovation, and creating jobs – from miners and geologists to agronomists and field technicians. It’s a chance to build a new green industry from the ground up (literally from the ground!).

With all these advantages, Africa stands at the forefront of a potential carbon removal revolution. I often tell my colleagues: this is Africa’s chance to lead on climate action in a way that also feeds our people and grows our economies. But making it happen won’t be as simple as flipping a switch. We have some challenges to overcome on the road to turning ERW into a continent-wide success story.

Paving the Way: Challenges We Need to Tackle

Even the most promising ideas need practical groundwork. In my journey with ERW projects, I’ve learned that execution is everything. So what will it take for Africa to scale up enhanced rock weathering and truly reap its benefits? Here are a few key challenges we need to address – and ways we can address them:

  • Moving Mountains (Infrastructure & Logistics): To remove gigatons of carbon with rock dust, we’ll need to handle gigatons of rock. That means investing in the infrastructure to mine or quarry suitable rocks (like basalt), grind them into powder, and transport them to farms across the continent. It’s a big undertaking. Picture fleets of trucks carrying rock dust from crushing sites to distant agricultural regions, or new rail links to move minerals to where they’re needed. Without proper planning, the logistics could be costly or carbon-intensive (which would defeat the purpose). The good news is this challenge is surmountable – and it can create a lot of jobs along the way. Building rock milling facilities, upgrading rural roads, and managing spreaders to apply the dust are all chances to boost local economies. Many African countries have experience in mining industries; we can repurpose that know-how for climate solution industries. With smart infrastructure investment and regional coordination, we can move mountains (of rock) to where they need to be.
  • Proof and Trust (Measurement & Verification): As exciting as ERW is, the world will rightfully ask: “How do we know it’s working?” To earn trust (and carbon credit revenue), Africa’s ERW projects must rigorously measure and verify the CO₂ being removed. This means scientists and technicians have to get their hands dirty – quite literally – by testing soils and water regularly. We’ll need to monitor soil pH changes, track how quickly minerals are leaching and reacting, and measure how much carbon is ending up stored in the soil. Essentially, we must build a solid evidence base for every ton of CO₂ we claim to capture. This challenge is as much about data and transparency as it is about chemistry. We may need to develop standardized protocols (potentially in line with international standards like Puro or Verra) so that an ERW project in Kenya is measured with the same rigor as one in the UK or US. I find this part exciting because it will likely be led by African scientists and researchers, showcasing our expertise. And it’s doable – local universities and labs can partner on monitoring programs, and new tech (like satellite imaging or sensors) can help track progress. When we prove that an African project is removing carbon permanently and quantify it clearly, buyers around the world will have confidence in those “made in Africa” carbon credits.
  • Supportive Policies and Partnerships: Lastly, none of this can scale without the right policy environment and support from leadership. Governments across Africa can pave the way by recognizing ERW in their climate action plans and creating incentives for it. For example, policies could offer tax breaks or grants for farms and companies that adopt ERW, or fast-track permits for quarrying rocks for climate purposes. Streamlined regulations will be key – we don’t want well-meaning climate projects bogged down by red tape meant for other mining operations. There’s also a big role for continental and international collaboration. The African Union’s Green Recovery Action Plan, for instance, already emphasizes innovative climate solutions – ERW could be championed under that umbrella, encouraging knowledge-sharing and funding across countries. And let’s not forget partnerships with the global community: international climate funds, development banks, and tech companies can all collaborate with African nations to get pilot projects off the ground and then expand them. As an African working in climate, I know our governments and entrepreneurs are full of brilliant ideas and commitment; with a nudge of policy support and investment, ERW in Africa can go from scattered trials to a widespread practice in just a decade.

A Call to Action: Africa’s Moment to Lead

I’ll be honest: I spend a lot of my days dreaming about a future where Africa is the beating heart of global carbon removal efforts. In that future, millions of hectares of African farmland glisten with a dusting of basalt, drawing down carbon as crops flourish, and communities prosper from new income. That vision keeps me moving forward, because I know we have all the raw ingredients to make it real. The question isn’t can Africa lead in enhanced rock weathering – the science says we absolutely can – the real question is will we choose to step up and do it?

This is a decisive moment. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s here, ravaging crops with droughts in East Africa and flooding homes in West Africa. At the same time, our continent has a young population full of energy and in need of opportunities. ERW offers a chance to tackle both the climate crisis and youth unemployment together. It’s rare to find a solution that addresses environmental urgency and economic development hand in hand. That’s why I feel such urgency and passion for pushing it forward.

But I cannot do it alone. No single person or even single country can. We all have a role to play in this grand endeavor:

  • African governments – I urge you to champion ERW in your policies and budgets. Invest in research, infrastructure, and farmer outreach. Make it easy for projects to launch and for investors to come in and help.
  • Private sector and investors – there is a business opportunity here with immense social good. Whether you’re in agribusiness, mining, or carbon markets, consider partnering on ERW projects. Companies can offset emissions and meet ESG goals by supporting ERW initiatives, all while catalyzing sustainable development in Africa.
  • Scientists and NGOs – we need you on the ground training farmers, measuring results, and refining techniques. Your expertise will ensure ERW is done effectively and safely. Help build the knowledge hubs and publish the success stories from African soils.
  • International partners and buyers – to the global community looking for climate solutions: look to Africa. Support us with funding and technology, and in return gain access to some of the highest-quality carbon removals on Earth. It’s a true partnership waiting to happen.

And to my fellow Africans and climate advocates reading this: you can be part of this movement too. Spread the word about enhanced rock weathering. Educate others that sometimes the answers to global problems lie right beneath our feet. If you’re in a position to influence or support a project – do it. Even sharing this idea with someone in your network might plant a seed (or a rock!) that grows into the next big ERW initiative.

I began this story with a memory of standing in that Kenyan field, feeling hopeful. I want to end with how I feel today: inspired and determined. These days, when I see a pile of crushed rock by the roadside, I don’t just see rubble—I see a climate solution waiting to happen. It’s a reminder that sometimes saving the planet means thinking outside the box… or in this case, inside the rock. Africa has the chance to turn humble stone into a tool for global change. We have the sunshine, the land, the rocks, and the people ready to make it happen. Now all we need is the collective will to rock the climate and roll out this solution across our beautiful continent.

The time to act is now. Let’s turn dust into gold for the climate, and in doing so, unlock Africa’s next great chapter as a leader in the fight against climate change. Together, we can make the ground beneath us the foundation of a safer, greener future for all.

References

[1] F Garrett Boudinot et al., “Enhanced Rock Weathering in the Global South: Exploring Potential for Enhanced Agricultural Productivity and Carbon Dioxide Drawdown Enhanced Rock Weathering in the Global South: Exploring Potential for Enhanced Agricultural Productivity and Carbon Dioxide Drawdown,” 2023, https://www.remineralize.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Enhanced-Rock-Weathering-in-the-Global-South-1.pdf.

[2] Ian Tiseo, “Annual Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions Worldwide from 1940 to 2023,” Statista (Statista, June 13, 2024), https://www.statista.com/statistics/276629/global-co2-emissions/.

[3] Sasha Ranevska, “Milkywire Buys First African Enhanced Rock Weathering Credits by Flux - Carbon Herald,” Carbon Herald, September 24, 2024, https://carbonherald.com/milkywire-buys-first-african-enhanced-rock-weathering-credits-by-flux/.

[4] Saptakee S, “Microsoft and UNDO Partner for 15,000 Tons of Carbon Removal Using Enhanced Rock Weathering!,” Carbon Credits, October 2024, https://carboncredits.com/microsoft-and-undo-partner-for-15000-tons-of-carbon-removal-using-enhanced-rock-weathering/.