CAFI Mobilizes $15 Million for Sustainable Forest Management Around Kinshasa

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has made significant progress in implementing its Payment for Environmental Services (PES) mechanism. The Congolese government, the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have signed a project document for the Kinshasa Supply Basin Support Program (PROBAK). This program aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce pressure on forests that supply the capital city.

The $15 million funding is part of a larger $30 million program led by the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, and New Climate Economy (MEDDNEC) and financed by CAFI. This is the second phase of the program, with the first phase having been launched in March 2026 with $15 million from CFC/FERMI for interventions in Kwango and Nioki.

The new funding will support activities in the provinces of Equateur and Maï-Ndombe, which are critical for Kinshasa's food supply and forest ecosystem preservation. CAFI's approach focuses on measurable and verifiable results on the ground. The initiative aims to make payments conditional on verified results using georeferenced monitoring tools and an independent verification system compliant with ISO standards.

The PROBAK program plans to cover over 150,000 hectares and directly benefit nearly 183,000 people. Interventions will focus on promoting sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, savanna restoration, reforestation for energy wood production, and community conservation. The program also aims to support the sustainable management of approximately 27 community forests, balancing economic needs with conservation goals.

The program's approach to beneficiary remuneration is noteworthy, with payments made directly to communities and producers via Mobile Money after verifying achieved results. According to Laurent Nsenga, WWF-RDC project manager, the goal is to support populations with sustainable practices, providing food while remunerating them for their efforts.

The program's activities are scheduled to run from 2027 to 2031, with interventions planned in specific territories of Equateur and Maï-Ndombe provinces. Implementation will rely on local non-governmental organizations to facilitate community engagement and environmental commitment monitoring.

This initiative is part of the national PES portfolio, which already covers 12 provinces in the DRC. The program complements a regional initiative involving the DRC, Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic, representing $115 million in investments.

Key points

• The program aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce pressure on forests that supply Kinshasa.
• The initiative focuses on measurable and verifiable results on the ground, with payments conditional on verified results.
• The program plans to directly benefit nearly 183,000 people and cover over 150,000 hectares.