Brazzaville is at the center of financial discussions as a crucial roundtable unfolds on May 26, 2026, aiming to mobilize $5.32 billion USD (approximately 3.006 trillion FCFA) for the Congo Basin Blue Fund. The event, held on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Group's 2026 Annual Meetings, puts the Republic of Congo in the spotlight as both host and a key player in this regional climate mechanism.
Under the high patronage of Congolese President Denis Sassou N'Guesso, also President of the Congo Basin Climate Commission, this meeting is presented as a decisive moment to secure resources for one of the planet's most strategic ecosystems. The Blue Fund is designed as an innovative financial tool to encourage sustainable and climate-resilient development in the Congo Basin countries.
The projects involved encompass a variety of sectors, including sustainable ecosystem management, coastal protection, sustainable fishing and aquaculture, blue infrastructure, water and sanitation, tourism, research and innovation, and prevention of health, environmental and epidemiological risks.
This regional mechanism involves 17 member countries, including Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Tanzania, Chad, Zambia, and the Kingdom of Morocco. According to the official website of the Blue Fund, a portfolio of 254 projects has been identified, representing a total investment of $10 billion USD.
The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) plays a vital role in this initiative as the Blue Fund's financial agent. It is responsible for financial management, fundraising and allocation to approved projects, reinforcing its position as a pillar of sustainable development finance in Central Africa.
The Brazzaville roundtable follows a preparatory phase in which BDEAC structured 43 projects worth $3.6 billion USD. These projects emphasize sustainable natural resource management, resilient infrastructure, fisheries, ecotourism, scientific research and environmental health.
Launched at COP22 in Marrakech, the Blue Fund aims to translate climate goals into concrete action through effective funding. Member states present in Brazzaville wish to appeal to bilateral and multilateral donors, climate funds, development banks and private investors.
Beyond project funding, the goal is to make the Congo Basin a major ecological asset in the fight against climate change. "Investing in the Congo Basin Blue Fund is investing in a global public good," say the promoters, emphasizing its importance for biodiversity protection and the economic and social stability of the African continent.
