The International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced on August 15 that it has provided a $500 million guarantee (over 313 billion FCFA at the current dollar value) against risks related to the issuance of a marine conservation bond in Gabon, known as the Gabon Blue Bond.
Quoting the DFC CEO, Scott Nathan, Le Nouveau Gabon wrote in a statement that "The political risk insurance from the DFC has provided critical support to this historic transaction, helped mobilize capital from institutional investors, and catalyzed additional investments in Gabon's marine conservation efforts".
The Gabon Blue Bond is expected to generate $163 million (over 102 billion FCFA) in financing for new marine conservation efforts over the next 15 years. It will advance critical conservation goals, protect endangered species, and support the sustainable "blue economy" of the country.
This fundraising operation in Gabon is conducted in partnership with the NGO The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Bank of America and will allow Gabon to buy back some of its debt.
Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo, said the deal with the DFC is "historic!” “The culmination of long work and the beginning of a real revolution. This agreement allows us to reduce our debt, better preserve the environment, and create more jobs for Gabonese in this future sector. It paves the way for other similar agreements in Africa. We can be proud of it!" the leader declared.
A Blue Bond or Obligation Bleue is a financial tool to raise funds from investors to finance marine and oceanic projects with positive environmental, economic, and climate impacts. This concept is inspired by the better-known green bonds.
SG
ECOWAS central bank governors reaffirm a 2027 target for launching the Eco. Nigeria signals...
Algeria plans to launch construction of the $13 billion Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) a...
Kenya raised $2.25B via dual-tranche Eurobonds to buy back 2028/2032 debt, luring investors w...
Dangote to list $20-25 billion refinery within five months NNPC holds 7.25% stake; dividends...
Siguiri mine produced 289,000 ounces in 2025, up 6% Fourth-quarter output rose 15%, boosting annu...
Cameroon wins gold at 2026 Cacao of Excellence Awards Top sample selected from 191 entries worldwide Award boosts position in premium “fine flavour”...
DRC seeks ITC support for local battery value chains Musompo SEZ targets $2 billion private investment Progress slowed amid coordination,...
In 2025, the development of the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, the largest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was marked by two major events: a...
DR Congo bans South African livestock imports over FMD Measure suspends permits for animals and animal products South Africa ramps up vaccination,...
More than 500 media leaders gathered in Nairobi on Feb. 25–26 for the fourth African Media Festival under the theme “Resilient Stories: Reinventing...
Located about 500 kilometers southwest of Cairo, between the oases of Bahariya and Farafra, the White Desert stands out as one of Egypt’s most distinctive...