Equatorial Guinea
A National Investment Framework to address drivers while promoting economic diversification
Latest News
Eq. Guinea, Cameroon & Congo share progress
CAFI meeting an opportunity to showcase progress and challenges of developing National Investment Frameworks
At a Glance
| CAFI Preparatory grant | Approved by the CAFI Executive Board on 7 November 2016 (Decision EB.2016.22) 1.087 million US$ to update data and develop a National REDD+ Investment Plan Project closed. |
| Responsible Governmental Party | Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning |
| Implementing organization | FAO |
| Fund Transfer | See the MPTF Gateway CAFI page, under "projects" |
| Status | REDD+ NIP Finalized |
Context and advances
REDD+ in Equatorial Guinea
Thanks to CAFI funding and with FAO support, estimations of the forest cover of Equatorial Guinea are now of 2.5 million hectares, covering 93% of the country, and its carbon reserves at 195 million tons. The annual deforestation rate is 0.3% (87,000 ha/year), whilst forest degradation, though hard to quantify, may even be a larger problem at 0.9% (270,000 ha/year), due in part to commercial logging for export to Asia and Europe.
A finalized national REDD+ Investment Plan
In November 2016 the CAFI Executive Board allocated 1 million US$ to support Equatorial Guinea to develop a REDD+ National Investment Plan (REDD+ NIP).
The REDD+ NIP was finalized in May 2020 and can be downloaded here in Spanish (English translation pending). It includes 5 sectoral programs covering forest governance, land use planning, agriculture and food security, energy and infrastructure and REDD+ governance, as well as pilot projects to test frameworks, concepts and strategic options at a sub-national level before adapting and applying them nationally.
High level leadership and inter-ministerial action
The Ministry for Finance, Economy, and Planning lead the preparation of the REDD+ NIP, thus ensuring coordination between various ministerial departments and promoting approval at the highest levels of the government.
The Ministry leads an inter-ministerial Steering Committee that oversees the preparation of the REDD+ NIP. This committee includes more than 10 ministerial departments: Fisheries and Environment (Vice- Chair); Agriculture and Forests (Secretariat); Finance and Budget; Public works and Infrastructure; Mining, Industry and Energy; Interior and local authorities; Information, Press and Radio; Social Affairs and Women’s rights; National Security; Foreign Affairs and cooperation ; as well as representatives of the Senate and the Parliament, and of civil society, community leaders, the private sector and academia.
Updated data and better knowledge of drivers
A spatial and qualitative study of the direct and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation for the period 2004-2014 was finalized and validated in 2017. The study will inform the national REDD+ process, supporting decision-making and planning of future socio-economic development policies, land and natural resources management, and guide investments to reduce impacts on forests and emissions.
Consultations and communications
Implemented consultation and gender action plan and unrolled its communications strategy: in 14 international and national press releases, REDD+ explainer video for national TV, two workshops on Forests, climate and REDD+ for journalists and distribution of promotional products.
Key Documents
CAFI Executive Board decisions related to Equatorial Guinea