Why the Congo Basin
One of the world's most strategic forest regions
The Congo Basin is more than a vast rainforest. It is one of the world's most important ecological and economic assets, playing a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity and the sustainable development of Central Africa.
Second-largest tropical rainforest
A globally significant forest ecosystem.
Exceptional biodiversity
Thousands of unique plant and animal species.
Six countries
One connected forest spanning Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Millions of livelihoods
Supporting communities and regional economies.
Global carbon sink
Helping regulate the Earth's climate.
The Congo Basin is one of Africa's most important long-term environmental and economic assets.
Africa's most valuable natural assets
The Congo Basin's forests are among Africa's most valuable natural assets. Beyond timber, they provide environmental, economic and social benefits that support long-term prosperity.
Sustainable timber
Carbon
Biodiversity
Water
Communities
Perpetual value
economics
Trillions in value, billions captured locally
The Congo Basin generates over $1 trillion a year in global benefits — local countries see only a tiny fraction.
$0.59T
Ecosystem services value, 2000
$1.15T
Ecosystem services value, 2020
$1.15T/yr
Global value felt worldwide
$8B/yr
Local capture - timber, bushmeat, wild foods, eco-tourism
economics
Trillions in value, billions captured locally
The Congo Basin generates over $1 trillion a year in global benefits — local countries see only a tiny fraction.
Congo Basin
Higher hidden global value per hectare (peat + strong sink) but much weaker financial flows and data infrastructure.
Amazon
More developer markets (agribusiness, hydropower, carbon initiatives) - though still insufficient - funding mechanisms.
BIODIVERSITY & PEOPLE
A biodiversity and human stronghold for Central Africa
The Congo Basin generates over $1 trillion a year in global benefits — local countries see only a tiny fraction.
• Forest Elephants
• Lowland & Mountain Gorillas
• Bonobos & Chimpanzees
• Many Endemic Species
~60M2
People directly depend on Congo Basin forests for food, fuel, medicine and livelihoods
-10%/+0.7°C
Possible regional rainfall drop and temperature rise by mid-century if deforestation continues.
Conflict & governance
Decades of conflict have limited industrial deforestation but hampered development: a complex, critical window for smart investment.
BIODIVERSITY & PEOPLE
A biodiversity and human stronghold for Central Africa
The Congo Basin generates over $1 trillion a year in global benefits — local countries see only a tiny fraction.
Congo Basin
Smaller but denser primary forest, huge peat carbon, unique great apes, and direct dependence but tens of millions in some of the world's poorest countries.
Amazon
Larger area, and more global visibility, intense agribusiness pressure (soy, cattle).
WHY NOW
On par with the Amazon. Far more overlooked
The world's most undervalued climate asset — matching the Amazon in importance, and outpacing it as a carbon sink, while capturing a fraction of the finance and attention.
2nd
Largest rainforest on Earth
#1
Land-based carbon sink on the planet
Least
Funded of the two major rainforests
The Congo Basin (≈300M ha) is the second-largest rainforest after the Amazon (≈800M ha) — and absorbs more CO₂ per year than the Amazon does. Despite this, it receives a fraction of the climate finance, research attention and policy focus the Amazon commands.
$0.59T
Ecosystem services value, 2000
$1.15T
Ecosystem services value, 2020
$1.15T/yr
Global value felt worldwide
$8B/yr
Local capture - timber, bushmeat, wild foods, eco-tourism
Congo Basin
Higher hidden global value per hectare (peat + strong sink) but much weaker financial flows and data infrastructure.
Amazon
More developer markets (agribusiness, hydropower, carbon initiatives) - though still insufficient - funding mechanisms.
• Forest Elephants
• Lowland & Mountain Gorillas
• Bonobos & Chimpanzees
• Many Endemic Species
~60M2
People directly depend on Congo Basin forests for food, fuel, medicine and livelihoods
-10%/+0.7°C
Possible regional rainfall drop and temperature rise by mid-century if deforestation continues.
Congo Basin
Smaller but denser primary forest, huge peat carbon, unique great apes, and direct dependence but tens of millions in some of the world's poorest countries.
Amazon
Larger area, and more global visibility, intense agribusiness pressure (soy, cattle).
The Congo Basin (≈300M ha) is the second-largest rainforest after the Amazon (≈800M ha) — and absorbs more CO₂ per year than the Amazon does. Despite this, it receives a fraction of the climate finance, research attention and policy focus the Amazon commands.
Creating together enduring value
Canopyan works with investors, governments, industrial partners, scientific institutions and experienced professionals committed to the future of Africa's forests.
