The African Development Fund has approved a $4.23 million grant to help 13 African countries integrate natural capital into development planning and financial decision-making. The initiative aims to support sustainable economic growth by improving how countries measure, manage, and invest in their natural resources.
The project will be implemented from October 2026 to September 2029 and will cover Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The funding will support efforts to strengthen policy systems, statistical frameworks, institutional capacity, and knowledge platforms needed to incorporate natural capital into national development strategies. By recognizing the economic value of ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources, participating countries will be better positioned to design policies that support sustainable growth.
The initiative will be delivered with contributions from international partners, including the World Wildlife Fund, the German development cooperation agency GIZ, the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development, the Economic Commission for Africa, and the United Nations Environment Programme.
The project will provide technical assistance, policy support, statistical assessments, biodiversity financing solutions, green wealth evaluation tools, capacity-building activities, and opportunities for knowledge sharing among participating countries. These measures are expected to improve the integration of environmental resources into economic planning and investment decisions.
The African Development Fund stated that the programme will help African countries build stronger evidence-based approaches for climate resilience, nature protection, and inclusive development. By improving the understanding and management of natural wealth, governments can strengthen development financing, attract green investments, and reduce economic risks.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to long-term benefits, including stronger economic growth, increased investment opportunities, job creation, poverty reduction, and improved competitiveness across participating African countries.
