IP Land Rights

 

Context 

The Congo Basin, which spans across Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo, holds around 70% of Africa’s forest cover and serves as a critical biodiversity reservoir. Home to approximately 75 million people, a significant portion of whom are Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the Basin is central to both local and global environmental sustainability. IPs depend on forest ecosystems for their livelihoods, relying on traditional practices that contribute to the conservation of this vital rainforest. However, the sustainability of these ecosystems faces serious challenges from climate change and deforestation, with an estimated 490,000 hectares of primary forest lost in 2020 alone. Key to overcoming these challenges is a fair legal framework that secures land rights for IPs and enables sustainable management of forest resources. Community forestry initiatives have gained traction, providing IPs with pathways to help protect these ecosystems and support national climate goals, yet limitations in legal protections remain a significant obstacle. 

Approach 

Through the PROGREEN initiative, we support the development of sustainable forestry practices and the protection of IP rights across the Congo Basin. PROGREEN’s efforts focus on advancing legal reforms and strengthening institutional capacity to empower IPs as stewards of these crucial ecosystems. The initiative prioritizes a landscape conservation approach that transcends national boundaries, fostering collaboration among countries in the region to manage ecosystems shared across borders. This includes supporting transboundary protected areas such as the Sangha Tri-National complex, which spans Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo. PROGREEN collaborates with local communities, Indigenous Peoples’ cultural institutions, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable land use, protect biodiversity, and enhance the resilience of forest-dependent communities against climate impacts. By advancing community forestry practices, PROGREEN seeks to secure IP rights and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. 

Results 

Significant progress was made prior to FY24 in raising awareness of Indigenous Peoples (IP) rights, integrating conservation policies, and strengthening community capacity. In partnership with regional stakeholders, the initiative has empowered IP communities to engage actively in conservation and decision-making processes, amplifying their voices in forest governance. Since FY24, PROGREEN has built on these foundations by working with local organizations to map ancestral territories and assess legal frameworks in Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Gabon. This comprehensive mapping and diagnostic work have provided valuable insights for land reform efforts aimed at securing IP land rights and resource access. 

Key activities include stakeholder mapping, legal reviews of land and forest use rights, and capacity-building workshops to address implementation gaps in IP-related laws. Technical reports and policy recommendations are being disseminated through workshops, publications on IP network platforms, and collaboration with international NGOs to promote IP land rights across Central Africa. Collaborative efforts with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and other programs have further enhanced IP capacities for sustainable forest management, advancing conservation dynamics within the Basin. The initiative continues to provide critical guidance for securing IP land rights and fostering long-term environmental stewardship. 

 

Tenure Security 

 

Context 

The rainforests of Central and West Africa, including the vast Congo and Guinea rainforests, are rich in biodiversity and critical for global climate stability. These ecosystems face intense pressures from deforestation, urban expansion, and land use changes due to agriculture, mining, and logging. The impact of climate change adds another layer of urgency, affecting food security, increasing fragility, and reducing biodiversity in the region. Africa, although responsible for a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, bears severe consequences from climate-related issues, which further complicates poverty reduction efforts. 

These challenges are compounded by insecure land tenure, with only about 10% of land across Africa officially registered, leaving many communities, especially forest-dependent Indigenous groups and women, vulnerable to land loss and exploitation. Customary communities traditionally rely on forests for their livelihoods, bringing valuable knowledge in sustainable land management. However, insufficient integration of customary land rights within formal governance frameworks poses risks to forest conservation and limits the region’s potential to effectively address climate change. Recognizing these critical issues, the World Bank and development partners aim to secure land tenure for these communities, thereby promoting sustainable forest management and empowering vulnerable groups.

Approach 

PROGREEN supports efforts to improve land tenure security for forest-dependent communities in Central and West Africa by enhancing knowledge and fostering policy dialogue. Focusing on countries like Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone, the initiative works to address the nexus of land and forest tenure in forest landscape management and climate action, as well as the impacts of urban expansion on land use. 

PROGREEN’s objectives include analyzing regional policy and legal frameworks, supporting governments in better recognizing customary land tenure, and advancing sustainable land management practices. This is achieved through two core studies: one on land tenure within forest management and climate action, and another on urban expansion’s effect on forested landscapes. PROGREEN collaborates closely with various stakeholders—including Indigenous communities, government bodies, and regional organizations—to promote equitable land rights, support forest governance, and encourage sustainable development in alignment with global climate goals. 

Results 

Before FY24, PROGREEN achieved significant milestones in raising awareness about Indigenous land rights, building local capacities, and encouraging the inclusion of local communities in conservation policy. These efforts have improved engagement in forest governance, ensuring Indigenous voices are considered in decisions affecting their lands and resources. The program's contributions include mapping forest-dependent community territories, assessing local legal frameworks, and enabling Indigenous participation in land reform discussions across target countries. 

Since FY24, PROGREEN has furthered its objectives by coordinating with local organizations to refine policy dialogue and secure rights for Indigenous Peoples. These ongoing initiatives provide critical insights for land reform and forest conservation, fostering stronger collaboration between governments and Indigenous communities to ensure sustainable landscape management across the region’s forests.  

 

Improving Soil Health 

 

Context 

West Africa faces a critical challenge in addressing food insecurity, with over 27 million people already affected in 2022, a number projected to rise significantly without interventions. Agriculture, the main livelihood for 80% of the rural population and employing nearly half of the region's labor force, is hampered by low productivity, degraded soils, and increasing climate variability. Cereal yields in the region are just a third of the global average, constrained by nutrient-deficient and moisture-stressed soils, as well as high input costs and inadequate policies.   

The region’s rapidly growing population further intensifies the pressure on agricultural systems to meet rising food demands. In the Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian landscapes, improving soil fertility is essential for boosting agricultural productivity and resilience against climate shocks. Long-term strategies, including enhancing soil organic matter, diversifying cropping systems, and adopting integrated soil management practices, are critical to addressing these challenges sustainably.   

Approach 

PROGREEN is committed to strengthening soil health and fertility management in West Africa, with the overarching goal of improving agricultural productivity and landscape resilience. This initiative is centered around two primary areas of focus:   

Improving Soil Biophysical Properties   

• Promoting innovative and sustainable practices, including the use of organic resources, conservation agriculture, crop diversification, and nature-based solutions.   
• Advancing digital agricultural technologies for precision fertilizer application and soil health analysis to optimize nutrient use efficiency.   
• Supporting green fertilizer production, such as green ammonia, to decarbonize inputs and ensure environmentally sustainable practices.   

Strengthening Farmers’ Capacity 

• Enhancing extension services and agronomic advisory systems to deliver tailored soil management solutions.   
• Building the capacity of agricultural research and development programs to support farmers in adopting improved practices.   
• Encouraging policy reforms that facilitate access to green inputs and create an enabling environment for sustainable agricultural systems.   

Through stakeholder consultations, workshops, and technical assistance, PROGREEN aims to influence policy dialogue, scale up investments, and strengthen collaboration among development partners. This program aligns with ongoing World Bank initiatives, including the Food System Resilience Multi-Phased Approach (MPA), ensuring its scalability and impact across the region. 

Results 

Significant strides have been made in strengthening soil health and fertility management across West Africa, laying the foundation for improved agricultural productivity and landscape resilience.  

• Conducted extensive reviews of soil biophysical conditions and developed policy notes on innovative solutions, including sustainable fertilizers, agroecological practices, and soil carbon sequestration.   
• Organized consultations and workshops to promote integrated landscape management and nature-based solutions, fostering regional knowledge exchange and collaboration.   
• Assessed the feasibility of green fertilizer production, laying the groundwork for decarbonized and environmentally sustainable input systems. 
• Scaled up adoption of precision agriculture technologies, enhancing nutrient use efficiency and reducing input costs for farmers.   
• Delivered technical assistance to governments on reforming policies to incentivize sustainable agriculture, including support for green ammonia production.   
• Strengthened regional extension services and agronomic advisory systems, reaching a broader network of farmers and equipping them with actionable soil management strategies.   
• Facilitated partnerships with key stakeholders such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), amplifying efforts to improve soil fertility and landscape resilience.   

These results underscore PROGREEN’s commitment to addressing West Africa’s soil health crisis. By empowering farmers, advancing sustainable practices, and influencing policy, the program contributes to a more resilient and food-secure future for the region. 

 

Unlocking Results-based Climate Finance 

 

Context 

The Upper Guinean Forests are a vital natural resource spanning Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. Renowned as a global biodiversity hotspot, these forests host exceptional species diversity and offer critical ecosystem services that support local economies, stabilize regional climates, and mitigate global climate change. However, these ecosystems face significant threats. Over 70% of the original forest cover has been lost due to deforestation and degradation driven by agricultural expansion, logging, urbanization, and climate change. Countries in the region are experiencing alarming deforestation rates, with Côte d’Ivoire’s forest cover shrinking from 24% in 1986 to 9% in 2021 and Togo’s deforestation rate reaching 6% annually between 2000 and 2015. 

Despite these challenges, the Upper Guinean Forest countries have demonstrated commitment to reversing deforestation and degradation through ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). For instance, Côte d’Ivoire aims to reduce deforestation by 70% by 2030, while Guinea and Togo are implementing measures to preserve and restore forest cover. However, achieving these goals requires addressing barriers such as insufficient data on forest ecosystems, limited capacity for sustainable forest management, and inadequate access to climate finance and carbon markets. 

Approach 

PROGREEN supports efforts in Upper Guinean Forest countries to enhance sustainable forest management and unlock financing opportunities. The initiative focuses on developing Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) systems to assess and value forest ecosystems, ensuring their contributions to national economies and climate stability are fully recognized. These accounts will enable better-informed decision-making and sustainable management strategies for forest conservation. 

In collaboration with governments, development partners, and regional stakeholders, PROGREEN aims to build readiness for accessing climate finance, including results-based mechanisms and carbon markets. By leveraging tools like the World Bank Group’s Landscape Governance Assessment Tool (LGAT), the initiative will strengthen governance and institutional capacity in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo. Key activities include stakeholder workshops, national dialogues, and regional forums to mainstream NCA into policy planning and foster collaboration on sustainable forest management. 

Ultimately, PROGREEN seeks to empower Upper Guinean Forest countries with the tools and knowledge to conserve these critical ecosystems while creating opportunities for economic growth and resilience. By aligning efforts with global initiatives and leveraging lessons from similar programs, the initiative aims to drive transformative action to protect forests and the communities that depend on them. 

Results 

PROGREEN made significant strides in establishing foundational systems for NCA in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo. Initial Forest and Forest Ecosystem accounts, along with technical reports, were developed, providing critical data on forest extent, condition, and ecosystem services. These accounts informed key policies such as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), Payment for Environmental Services (PES) schemes, and Land-Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) strategies. Furthermore, they laid the groundwork for roadmaps targeting climate finance and carbon markets, enhancing countries’ ability to track national wealth and sustainably generate income.   

To support the integration of NCA into planning, national workshops and an operational guidebook were delivered, boosting awareness among technical staff and policymakers. A policy paper highlighted challenges and opportunities for sustainable forest management, equipping ministries with the capacity to mainstream NCA into their decision-making processes.   

Additionally, baseline assessments of governance and readiness for carbon markets were completed using the LGAT. These evaluations identified gaps and needs for the development of Emission Reduction Program Idea Notes (ER-PINs) in all three countries, setting the stage for enhanced access to climate finance mechanisms.   

The program has also emphasized mainstreaming and collaboration. Country-specific NCA synthesis reports offered tailored guidance for integrating NCA into national economic and environmental planning. These updates further advanced biophysical modeling and PES schemes, directly supporting sustainable land-use management.   

A regional workshop convened key stakeholders from Upper Guinean Forest countries, fostering dialogue on NCA and Results-Based Climate Finance (RBCF). This event enhanced regional awareness of forest ecosystem values and promoted collaboration on climate financing opportunities. It also reinforced coordination with ongoing initiatives such as the implementation of CCDRs and broader forest conservation programs.   

Through these efforts, PROGREEN has enhanced the capacity of national governments, technical experts, and regional organizations to conserve and manage the Upper Guinean Forests while driving economic growth and resilience.