The World Bank has released a new report showing that the Congo Basin’s forests, which stretch across six countries in Central Africa, have seen their ecosystem service value nearly double over the past two decades. The report estimates that the value of these services rose from $590 billion in 2000 to $1.15 trillion in 2020. The total asset value of the forests also increased from $11.4 trillion to $23.2 trillion during the same period.
The report finds significant differences in how the region’s countries manage and conserve their forests. Gabon and the Republic of Congo are noted for integrating forest sustainability into national planning and maintaining low deforestation rates with strong biodiversity. Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are described as being in a transitional phase, as they work to strengthen forest governance and develop policies that account for ecosystem values. In contrast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic face more complex challenges, such as rapid population growth and informal logging, mining, and agriculture, which put additional pressure on the forests.
The report, titled "Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts and Policy Recommendations," provides a comprehensive overview of how the region’s forests could be better integrated into broader economic planning. It outlines opportunities for economic diversification and climate finance through activities such as community-based ecotourism, forest monitoring, processing of non-timber forest products, and climate financing based on results.
“For the first time, Congo Basin countries have developed a detailed forest ecosystem accounts showing the true value of their natural wealth,” said Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa. “These forests, managed sustainably, can serve as powerful engines for sustainable development contributing to creating jobs, supporting climate-smart growth, and strengthening local economies.”
The report also points out a significant disparity: while the Congo Basin forests generate over $1 trillion in global ecosystem services—mainly through climate regulation—local governments received only $8 billion in domestic benefits from the forests in 2020. Most of this income came from timber, bushmeat, wild foods, and ecotourism.
“We can only manage what we can measure –this is why the forest ecosystem accounts for the Congo Basin will be so key for countries to unlock the power of their forests to drive development and jobs,” said Valerie Hickey, World Bank Global Director for Climate Change. “This accounting can also help Congo Basin countries demonstrate the huge value that their forest conservation efforts bring to the rest of the world.”
The World Bank report emphasizes the need for strategic global investment to help the region realize the full economic and environmental potential of its forests.