The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has received a major boost in its environmental conservation efforts this week, as Christophe Lecourtier, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), concluded a landmark visit to Kinshasa.

During the high-level talks with Marie Nyange Ndambo, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, the AFD delegation reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting the DRC’s ambitious climate goals, with particular focus on the preservation of the Congo Basin forests.

Strategic partnership takes center stage

This marks Christophe Lecourtier’s first official mission to the DRC, signaling the growing importance of the country in France’s international cooperation agenda. The visit underscores the strategic partnership between the two nations, with the AFD pledging continued support across multiple sectors including health infrastructure and environmental protection.

The Congo Basin, home to the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, has become a priority area for international climate action. Lecourtier emphasized that the protection of these vital ecosystems represents a cornerstone of the AFD’s environmental strategy in Africa.

Innovative financing for local communities

Discussions highlighted the Z3D pilot project, an innovative initiative designed to engage local communities directly in forest conservation through financial incentives. The program aims to create sustainable livelihoods while reducing deforestation rates in critical areas.

« This project represents a new approach to conservation, where local populations become active participants in protecting their natural heritage while benefiting economically,» explained Lecourtier during the press conference.

Global climate implications

The AFD delegation stressed the international significance of the DRC’s environmental policies, noting that conservation efforts in the Congo Basin directly impact global climate patterns. With Europe currently experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, the urgency of international cooperation has never been more apparent.

« The forests and peatlands of the DRC play a crucial role in global carbon capture. What happens here affects not just Africa, but the entire planet,» Lecourtier remarked.

The AFD currently maintains a portfolio of over €731 million across 35 active projects in the DRC, making it one of the agency’s most significant partnerships in Central Africa. This collaboration reflects France’s broader commitment to supporting sustainable development in the region through its three complementary entities: the AFD for public sector financing, Proparco for private sector support, and Expertise France for technical cooperation.

The visit culminated in a renewed pledge of support for the DRC’s environmental initiatives ahead of the upcoming COP in Turkey, where the country is expected to present its comprehensive conservation strategy.

Key points of the agreement:

• Strengthened cooperation on forest conservation in the Congo Basin
• Financial mechanisms to support local communities in sustainable resource management
• Continued investment in health infrastructure through support to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB)
• Preparations for international climate commitments ahead of COP negotiations