Six countries of the Congo Basin—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo—have launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector. Developed with support from the World Bank, these roadmaps aim to transform the region’s forest wealth into engines for climate-resilient growth, sustainable development, and green jobs. By leveraging results-based payments and climate finance, the countries seek to convert natural capital into tangible economic and social benefits while preserving critical forest ecosystems.
The roadmaps provide country-specific guidance to help High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Congo Basin countries engage credibly in global carbon markets. They integrate data from the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts to align climate and nature goals with national development priorities. By offering tailored frameworks based on each country’s institutional readiness, the roadmaps aim to shift the development narrative from forest loss toward forest-led growth, creating opportunities for revenue generation, local employment, and community resilience.
World Bank officials highlighted that the forests of the Congo Basin are not only vital for global climate regulation but also represent significant financial assets. The roadmaps emphasize the importance of converting these assets into investments that generate tangible benefits for both national economies and local communities. Key recommendations include strengthening institutional coordination, ensuring equitable benefit-sharing, and developing robust digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems in line with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
While countries like Gabon and the Republic of Congo have made progress with pilot results-based agreements and REDD+ initiatives, others such as Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic are in earlier stages of implementation. The roadmaps identify critical gaps and prioritize actions needed to enable effective participation in carbon markets and access to climate finance, highlighting the potential for Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon to expand their forest-based contributions.
The strategic roadmaps were developed through broad stakeholder consultations and are designed to help governments align national frameworks with Paris Agreement provisions, build MRV capacity, clarify legal and fiscal treatment of carbon credits, engage the private sector, and ensure meaningful participation of local communities and Indigenous Peoples. By linking environmental protection with economic and social objectives, these roadmaps present a comprehensive blueprint for using the Congo Basin’s forest resources to drive climate-smart growth and sustainable development.
