WASHINGTON, February 23, 2026 - Six countries of the Congo Basin-Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo-are working to take bold steps to unlock results-based payments and climate finance. The newly launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector for the Congo Basin Countries developed with support from the World Bank, serve as blueprints to transform the region's vast forest wealth into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth and sustainable development and green jobs.
These roadmaps provide country-specific blueprints to help High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Congo Basin countries to engage credibly and effectively in global carbon markets, mobilize results-based finance, and transform their forest assets into engines for climate-resilient growth. Tailored to each country's readiness and institutional landscape, the roadmaps build on the foundational data from Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts to create a comprehensive framework aligning nature and climate goals with national development priorities. As part of the World Bank's broader Analytical and Advisory Services (ASA) for the Congo Basin, these roadmaps aim to shift the region's development narrative-from one of forest loss or degradation to forest-led growth.
"Forests across the Congo Basin offer more than global climate regulation-they represent critical financial assets and a development opportunity," said Chakib Jenane, World Bank Regional Practice Director Western and Central Africa Region. "These roadmaps provide the crucial link and show how countries can convert natural capital into tangible investments that generate revenues, jobs, and resilience for local communities."
The roadmaps call for stronger institutional coordination, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and robust digital, and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. While countries like Gabon, Republic of Congo are advancing with pilot results-based agreements and REDD+ progress, others like Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic are in the early stages of development. Opportunities abound also in Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The roadmaps highlight the gaps and prioritize key actions that will allow countries to harness the potential from carbon markets and climate finance.
"Carbon markets can be a game-changer for Congo Basin countries-but only if the right enabling conditions are in place," said Cheick Fantamady Kanté, World Bank Division Director for Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. "These strategic roadmaps provide a practical end-to-end guide for governments to operationalize carbon finance, with a focus on good governance, private sector engagement, and benefits for local communities."
Developed through broad stakeholder consultations and grounded in national priorities, the roadmaps support countries to:
- Align national frameworks with Paris Agreement Article 6.2 and 6.4.
- Build digital and institutional capacity for MRV readiness.
- Clarify the legal and fiscal treatment of carbon credits.
- Engage the private sector and ensure the participation of local communities and indigenous peoples.
- Attract long-term climate investment and technical partnerships.
These carbon market climate roadmaps represent a convergence of jobs, environment, and economic agendas.
