Côte d’Ivoire Secures USD 15mn for Forest Protection and Community Development Under Landmark Carbon Deal

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Côte d’Ivoire will allocate a fresh USD 15 million payment from the World Bank toward forest conservation and community development around Taï National Park, as part of the Emission Reduction Payment Project (PRE). This funding, under the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), supports global efforts to curb carbon emissions through sustainable forest management.

Announced in June, the disbursement marks the second installment under Côte d’Ivoire’s carbon reduction agreement, raising its total earnings to USD 50 million. In June 2024, the country received an initial USD 35 million after achieving verified reductions of 7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

The funds are disbursed directly to local communities—many composed of reformed poachers now working as forest stewards—via mobile money platforms. According to World Bank Country Director Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, this approach enhances transparency and traceability in fund distribution. “Côte d’Ivoire is the first country in Africa, and the second globally after Vietnam, to fully implement a carbon contract with the FCPF,” she noted.

Project coordinator Konan Éric confirmed that payments are tied to verified environmental performance. A new round of beneficiary enrollment is scheduled for July 2025. To date, 12,000 individuals have benefited from the initiative, which aims to reach 30,000 people.

Environment Minister Assahoré Konan Jacques highlighted the broader significance of the achievement, stating, “This strengthens our international climate credibility.” He also noted that the country holds over 10 million tonnes in surplus carbon credits, which could be used toward Côte d’Ivoire’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or sold on the global carbon market.

Vietnam set the global precedent by becoming the first country to fully operationalize an Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) under the FCPF. In March 2024, it received a record $51.5 million for reducing 10.3 million tonnes of CO₂ between 2018 and 2019—the largest disbursement in the program’s history.

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The Taï project exemplifies how carbon finance can simultaneously support climate mitigation and socio-economic development, positioning Côte d’Ivoire as a leading model for African nations engaging in carbon markets and climate action. The World Bank’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021–2025) continues to support such efforts by helping countries design and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.