Yaounde, 22 October 2025 (ECA) — The Subregional Office for Central Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), and the United Nations System, will convene a High-Level Regional Conference on Sustainable Financing for Economic Diversification on 26–27 November 2025 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
This strategic gathering seeks to accelerate the structural transformation of Central Africa’s economies by mobilizing innovative and sustainable financing for bankable, high-impact projects linked to productive capacities, regional value chains, and the blue economy.
An Initiative Welcomed by Financial Institutions and Development Partners
International Financial Institutions (IFIs), regional development banks, and bilateral partners have unanimously welcomed this ECA-led initiative, describing it as a strategic turning point for development financing in Central Africa.
During preparatory meetings held in Yaoundé, partners presented a range of financial instruments available to support mature and transformative projects.
The World Bank emphasized the importance of a regional framework for resilient and inclusive value chains, announcing a portfolio of regional projects worth USD 300 million each, focused on the Congo Basin and the blue economy.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with ECA through its Climate Finance Facility and Regional Forestry Economy Strategy, with the goal of channeling funding toward sustainable initiatives. The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) confirmed its co-organization of the Conference through the Congo Basin Blue Fund, a flagship regional instrument for financing the green transition.
Afreximbank highlighted its mechanisms supporting bankable project preparation, export-oriented SMEs, and regional industrialization, underscoring the need for a strong public–private financing coalition.
The European Union, through its Global Gateway and Green Bond Initiative, expressed strong support for regional integration, ocean governance, and green finance.
The United Nations system will also present available technical and financial support opportunities. The Resident Coordinators from Central African countries outlined the priorities of various United Nations agencies and the corresponding areas of support aligned with national and regional development objectives.
All partners expressed their commitment to actively participate in the Conference’s Steering Committee and to share their project pipelines to foster regional co-financing coalitions.
Objective: Building a Coalition for Transformative Financing
Central Africa holds tremendous potential in natural resources, human capital, and renewable energy, yet faces challenges such as limited local transformation and restricted access to long-term finance.
The Conference aims to bridge this gap by:
Developing a regional portfolio of bankable projects, aligned with the priorities of ECCAS, CEMAC, and national development plans;
Establishing a subregional Community of Practice on sustainable financing, value chains, and natural capital valorization;
Institutionalizing a permanent policy dialogue among governments, financial institutions, and technical partners to embed sustainable financing in public policy frameworks.
A Regional Momentum Driven by ECA and the United Nations System
According to Mr. Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa:
“Central Africa does not lack projects; it lacks coordinated and sustainable financing. This Conference seeks to bridge that gap — building bridges between financial institutions, governments, and the United Nations to transform the Congo Basin’s resources into engines of industrialization and job creation.”
The United Nations Resident Coordinators across the subregion also commended this joint approach, emphasizing its added value in aligning development planning with sound economic data and evidence-based policymaking.
Media Queries
Zacharie Roger MBARGA - Communications Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
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