The World Bank has approved $60 million for the Strengthening Urban Resilience Project in the Republic of Congo to help reduce erosion and flood risks while improving access to climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the country’s two largest cities. The project takes a multi-sectoral approach, investing in urban infrastructure, climate risk reduction, and public facilities to enhance resilience, livability, and service delivery. It also aims to build institutional capacity at both national and local levels, enabling more effective and sustainable urban planning and management.
The Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s most urbanized countries, with around 70 percent of its population living in cities—more than half in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire alone. However, it remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. According to Cheick F. Kante, Division Director for the Republic of Congo, this project is vital to strengthening the country’s ability to adapt to climate risks and safeguard its urban population.
The initiative will directly benefit about 575,000 residents, including 350,000 people in Brazzaville and 225,000 in Pointe-Noire, while generating over 450,000 person-days of temporary employment. These efforts align with the government’s National Development Plan 2022–2026, supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development, local job creation, and sustainable urban growth.
Alexandra Celestin, World Bank Country Manager for the Republic of Congo, emphasized that major infrastructure gaps have heightened erosion and flood risks, posing significant threats to communities and economic growth. The project seeks to address these challenges by reducing climate-related risks, improving access to essential infrastructure and services, and fostering socio-economic development to enhance living conditions.
As part of the World Bank’s long-term engagement in urban development, the project includes two main components: the first will finance investments in erosion and flood control, as well as climate-resilient infrastructure and public services; the second will strengthen urban and disaster risk management policies and institutional capacity for sustainable urban governance. The project’s design and preparation were supported by technical assistance from several partners, including the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the City Climate Finance Gap Fund, the Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Partnership, and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).
