Africa is highly vulnerable to ongoing land use change and climatic variability and both of these processes have a significant influence on carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics. Empirical data with adequate spatial and temporal resolution on carbon and GHG exchange between the atmosphere, biosphere and aquatic systems is severely lacking, making our understanding of the potential consequences of rapid land use and climate change, problematic. Significant uncertainties also exist surrounding the contribution of African systems to global GHG emissions, as estimates are often based on values derived from developed countries with little in-situ validation. The aim of this session is to review the current status of GHG measurement programmes on the African continent and to propose strategies that will address the gaps in our knowledge of the continental carbon and GHG budget through the development of a platform/network for long-term observations and experimental research. Contributions are welcome which provide information on research undertaken across multiple spatial scales from plots to regions, using ground based and remotely sensed approaches that link the atmosphere, terrestrial ecosystems, rivers and oceans, and on proposals for future measurements and collaborative research programmes.