The Congo Basin Blue Fund: An Innovative Climate Finance Mechanism in Central Africa

Abstract : The Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon. It spans approximately 1.8 million km², accounting for nearly half of the total area of the river basin. This forested region is distributed across six Central African countries, namely Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic (Megevand et al., 2012). This ecosystem plays a critical role in global climate regulation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. However, it is increasingly exposed to anthropogenic pressures, including deforestation estimated at 0.3–0.5% per year, illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and the impacts of climate change (CICOS, 2021; FAO, 2020).. The methodology relies on a mixed approach combining a systematic scientific literature review, documentary analysis of institutional reports (CBFC-CBBF, CAFC, DBCAS), and case studies of funded projects. Results indicate that the Blue Fund facilitates the mobilization of international financing and promotes multi-stakeholder governance. However, its effectiveness remains limited by institutional constraints, insufficient coordination, and still-low community participation. The study concludes that the Blue Fund constitutes a strategic lever for climate finance in Central Africa, while highlighting the need to strengthen governance, the implication of local communities, and the efficiency of financial instruments.