Green Enterprise in the Congo Basin: New $15 Million Initiative Targets Sustainable Investment
Written By Maxine Ansah
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A transformative initiative has been launched to catalyse nature-positive, climate-resilient investment in the Congo Basin, one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. Spearheaded by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), the Pro-Congo initiative is backed by an initial $15 million investment. The aim is to support local entrepreneurship and unlock up to $30 million in sustainable finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating in key green sectors.
This innovative programme targets businesses that do not rely on deforestation to thrive. Instead, it seeks to show that enterprises can grow sustainably, attract capital and deliver products that contribute to climate goals, biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods. The focus will be on four countries within the Congo Basin region: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.
The Congo Basin rainforest, often described as the lungs of Africa, is the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. It acts as a critical carbon sink and is home to more than 75 million people, including Indigenous communities whose lives are deeply rooted in the forest. However, this region has long been overshadowed by more globally prominent ecosystems in Southeast Asia and South America. The Pro-Congo initiative aims to correct this imbalance by highlighting the Congo Basin’s global importance and providing the financial and technical means for a green economic transition.
“UNCDF is proud to unlock finance where it is needed most, supporting MSMEs in the Congo Basin to become nature-positive while creating jobs and driving sustainable growth,” said Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Secretary of UNCDF. “Our unique capital mandate within the UN development system allows us to address gaps in fragile contexts where traditional financial mechanisms often fall short.”
UNCDF will deploy $6.2 million in concessional finance, including loans and reimbursable grants, to help build a pipeline of investment-ready MSMEs capable of scaling their operations. These businesses will be selected for their ability to deliver long-term value and demonstrate environmental and social responsibility.
Meanwhile, UNEP will provide technical assistance, seed funding, and business incubation and acceleration support. The agency will also ensure that enterprises supported under the initiative adopt strong environmental and social safeguards.
“The Congo Basin, with its unique biodiversity and above and below ground carbon stores, is critical to advance on international environmental targets,” said Rose Mwebaza, Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa. “UNEP is therefore pleased to work with UNCDF and CAFI to support enterprises in the region to ‘decouple’ deforestation from economic activities.”
CAFI, founded in 2015, has long supported reforms and investments to tackle deforestation in Central Africa. The Pro-Congo initiative aligns with CAFI’s broader mission and is supported by a coalition of donors, including Germany, Belgium, France, Norway, Sweden, the European Union, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. It is also backed by the six Central African countries that make up the Congo Basin.
By crowding in additional capital from impact investors and development finance institutions, the initiative hopes to create a scalable and inclusive green finance ecosystem. This ecosystem is expected to contribute to climate action, biodiversity conservation and economic development across the region.
With growing global urgency around climate resilience and nature-based solutions, the Pro-Congo initiative presents a timely and promising approach to conservation and community-led development in one of the planet’s most ecologically and culturally rich regions.
