The Democratic Republic of Congo is impatiently awaiting the envelope of 55 million US dollars from the World Bank, following the purchase of 11 million tonnes of carbon credits as part of the Maï-Ndombe REDD+ Project, a project executed by Era Congo, a subsidiary of the American company Wildlife Works, specializing in the sale of carbon credits.
During her first inspection visit to the project, the Minister of the Environment, Eve Bazaiba, stressed the importance of promoting the efforts of the Inongo communities who contribute to the protection of the tropical forests of Mai-Ndombe. She explained the process of negotiating carbon credits, emphasizing that the World Bank purchased the tons of carbon at a price double that negotiated by Era Congo, i.e. $5 per ton.
Despite this purchase, payment of the expected envelope is slow in coming, which motivates the minister to continue her advocacy with the World Bank. She also mentioned the sale of part of the carbon credits to private individuals at prices of 7 to 17.5 dollars per tonne, with the objective of eventually reaching 100 dollars per tonne.
In 2011, Era, a former Canadian company, signed a management contract with the Congolese government for a former forestry concession of nearly 300,000 hectares near Lake Mai-Ndombe. The project aimed to generate carbon credits through the preservation and improvement of forests.
Through this initiative, the DRC hopes not only to preserve the environment and natural resources, but also to generate income that will contribute to the sustainable development of the country. The potential of carbon trading offers a unique opportunity to value nature while supporting local communities and promoting environmentally friendly economic growth.
This approach positions the DRC as a key player in the fight against climate change, while highlighting the crucial role of environmental initiatives for the future of the planet.