Congo Basin Forest Value Surges to $1.15 Trillion, Says World Bank Report

The Congo Basin, the beating green heart of Africa, has long been recognized for its biodiversity and role in stabilizing the global climate. Now, a groundbreaking World Bank report has quantified just how valuable this vast ecosystem truly is. According to The Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts and Policy Recommendations, the region's forests have nearly doubled in ecosystem service value, soaring from $590 billion in 2000 to $1.15 trillion in 2020.

Spanning six countries—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon—the Congo Basin hosts the world's second-largest tropical rainforest, second only to the Amazon. The total asset value of the Basin's forests, which includes ecosystem services, biodiversity, and economic use, jumped from $11.4 trillion to $23.2 trillion over two decades.

Forests as the Foundation of Economic and Climate Resilience

The report underscores that these forests are not just natural wonders—they are economic and climate assets of global importance. The Congo Basin absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, regulates rainfall across Africa, and supports millions of livelihoods. Yet, the World Bank warns that without coordinated regional policies, unsustainable practices could erode these gains.

Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, highlighted the opportunity ahead:

"For the first time, Congo Basin countries have developed detailed forest ecosystem accounts showing the true value of their natural wealth. These forests, managed sustainably, can serve as powerful engines for sustainable development — creating jobs, supporting climate-smart growth, and strengthening local economies."

Divergent National Paths in Forest Governance

The report points to a striking disparity in forest governance among Congo Basin nations.

• Gabon and the Republic of Congo have made significant strides, embedding forest sustainability into their national economic plans. Both countries have low deforestation rates and robust biodiversity conservation frameworks.

• Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are transitioning toward improved forest management, introducing new data systems, and piloting ecosystem-based policies.

• Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) face mounting pressures from population growth, informal mining, logging, and agricultural expansion. These challenges threaten the ecological integrity of the Basin and its potential to anchor green growth.

Economic Value vs. Local Gains: A Stark Disparity

Despite contributing over $1 trillion annually in global ecosystem services, Congo Basin countries capture only $8 billion in domestic economic benefits. Most of these come from timber extraction, bushmeat, wild food harvesting, and small-scale ecotourism. Over 90 percent of the Basin's global ecosystem value arises from climate regulation services, underscoring its role as a planetary carbon sink.

Valerie Hickey, World Bank Global Director for Climate Change, emphasized the urgency of better valuation and governance tools:

"We can only manage what we can measure. The forest ecosystem accounts for the Congo Basin will be key for countries to unlock the power of their forests to drive development and jobs. This accounting can also help demonstrate the enormous global benefits of their conservation efforts."

Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Growth

The Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts proposes integrating forest data into macroeconomic and fiscal planning—a shift that could help countries attract climate finance, carbon credit investments, and green infrastructure funds.

Key recommendations include:

• Developing national forest accounting systems to capture ecosystem service contributions in GDP calculations.

• Promoting community-based ecotourism and non-timber forest product industries to diversify rural livelihoods.

• Strengthening cross-border collaboration to address illegal logging and ensure consistent monitoring.

• Leveraging results-based climate financing mechanisms to reward conservation outcomes.

The report also highlights the potential for data readiness and monitoring technologies, including satellite mapping and carbon tracking systems, to underpin transparent forest management and global climate reporting.

A Global Imperative for a Shared Resource

As the planet grapples with intensifying climate change, the Congo Basin stands as both a shield and a warning. It is home to over 10,000 plant species, 400 mammals, and 1,000 bird species, many of which are endemic. Yet, deforestation and resource exploitation continue to rise due to poverty and weak enforcement.

The World Bank calls for a new global compact — one that recognizes the Congo Basin's forests as a global public good deserving of sustained international investment. With climate regulation valued at over a trillion dollars, the region's protection is not just a moral duty, but a strategic necessity for global climate stability.