PROBAK Programme Gains Momentum Following Strategic Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Kinshasa, January 2026 — The Kwango-Nioki Agroforestry Project, a USD 15 million Payments for Environmental Services (PES) initiative implemented by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) under the Central African Forest Initiative’s (CAFI) PROBAK programme, continues to gain momentum following a strategic mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by CFC Impact Investment Manager Peter Nielsen from 25–29 January 2026.
The visit reinforced high-level government engagement, confirmed strong community participation, and advanced key implementation planning across the project areas.
High-Level Government Engagement
During the mission, Mr. Nielsen held meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Development, and New Climate Economies (MEDD-NEC), including a meeting with the Minister, H.E. Professor Marie Nyange Ndambo. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the CFC in advancing the PROBAK programme.
Key topics included the governance arrangements for the project, particularly the operationalisation of the Steering Committee (COPIL), which will guide the programme’s implementation and ensure effective coordination among national authorities, implementing partners, and international stakeholders.
The meetings reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to initiatives that combine environmental protection with sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.
Welcoming Mr. Nielsen back from the mission, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities, expressed his deep appreciation to H.E. Professor Marie Nyange Ndambo for her extraordinary support to the PROBAK programme. He also conveyed sincere thanks to the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) for its partnership and commitment in making the programme possible.
He noted that the strong collaboration between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, CAFI, and the CFC provides a solid foundation for ensuring that the Kwango-Nioki Agroforestry Project delivers tangible benefits for rural communities while advancing sustainable forest management and climate resilience in the Congo Basin.
Strong Community Engagement in Kwango
The mission also included a field visit to acacia plantations in the Kwango region managed by the FRM Group, which will serve as the lead local implementer of the project. The visit provided an opportunity to observe agroforestry practices currently being applied, including planting techniques, optimal spacing, nursery management, and firebreak systems designed to enhance plantation resilience.
Meetings were also held with local implementing partners, including Action Massive Rurale (AMAR), Groupement Technique de Développement Rural (GTDR), and Nouvelle Vision de Développement (NVDR), as well as with members of the local growers’ association PRODAC.
These engagements confirmed strong interest from local communities in participating in the Kwango-Nioki Agroforestry Project. Community members demonstrated a clear understanding of the project’s objectives and expressed optimism about its potential benefits, particularly in improving agricultural productivity, strengthening livelihoods, and supporting sustainable land management.
About PROBAK
The PROBAK programme is a results-based agroforestry and forest protection initiative designed to strengthen rural livelihoods while protecting the Congo Basin’s globally significant forest ecosystems. Through Payments for Environmental Services (PES) and community-based agroforestry approaches, the programme supports sustainable land-use practices that generate measurable climate, biodiversity, and environmental benefits across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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