AfDB Grants $4.23 Million to Integrate Natural Capital into Policy

The project targets the creation of robust policy frameworks and statistical systems across countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ghana. By formalizing the valuation of natural resources, participating governments intend to guide public spending and long-term planning with greater precision. This shift is expected to move beyond traditional environmental conservation, positioning biodiversity and green wealth as tangible drivers of national development.

Technical support for the rollout comes from a coalition of international bodies, including the World Wildlife Fund, Germany’s GIZ, and the United Nations Environment Programme. These partners will provide the expertise necessary for biodiversity financing tools and statistical assessments. Innocent Onah, Chief Natural Resources Officer at the AfDB, emphasized that embedding nature into economic planning serves as a catalyst for growth, potentially boosting GDP and improving risk ratings for foreign investment. By providing reliable data on environmental assets, the bank seeks to bolster investor confidence and foster sustainable development across the continent.