ICAPS – Assessment of Private Sector Engagement in Climate Action and Sustainable Finance

2024–2025 | Climate finance market analysis & NDC investment readiness | Democratic Republic of the Congo

Implemented under U.S. Forest Service International Programs; funded by the U.S. Department of State

Under the ICAPS program, this assignment supported the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in assessing private sector engagement in climate action, sustainable finance, carbon markets, and implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

The initiative evaluated the landscape of private sector participation in mitigation and adaptation activities — with particular focus on the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU/FOLU) sector. It aimed to identify investment opportunities, financing barriers, and structural constraints while developing strategic pathways to strengthen private sector engagement in climate-related investments and carbon market mechanisms.

By combining market diagnostics, stakeholder mapping, and policy analysis, the study contributed to building a clearer roadmap for mobilizing domestic and international capital toward climate and forest-related priorities in the DRC.

Key Contributions & Impact

• Developed and refined Terms of Reference for a national climate finance market assessment
• Conducted stakeholder mapping of capital providers, project developers, companies, and community initiatives

Organized consultations with private sector actors in the AFOLU sector
• Assessed sectoral demand for climate finance and carbon market participation
• Identified available green and climate finance sources, eligibility criteria, and access conditions
• Analyzed barriers to private sector participation from both supply and demand perspectives
• Facilitated validation of findings through the national Technical Consultation Platform (PTC)
• Contributed to a comprehensive report outlining investment opportunities, policy instruments, and strategic recommendations for enhanced NDC implementation.