Country profile

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island state in the Gulf of Guinea, located off the west coast of Central Africa. Though outside the core Congo Basin forest block, the islands’ ecosystems are ecologically connected to the Basin through shared marine currents, migratory species, and climatic patterns. The islands are recognized for exceptional levels of endemism, particularly among plants and birds, and harbor globally significant terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

The Republic of the Congo contains some of the most intact forests in the Congo Basin, including extensive peatlandsand wildlife-rich landscapes. These ecosystems are critical for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and transboundary connectivity, making the country a priority for CBLI interventions. The Republic of the Congo’s forests provide essential ecosystem services, support local livelihoods, and contribute to regional climate stability.

Gabon is one of the most forest-covered countries in the world, with over 80% of its territory under forest cover, and is a cornerstone of biodiversity conservation in the Congo Basin. Its largely intact forest landscapes support exceptional biodiversity, store significant carbon stocks, and play an important role in regional and global climate regulation.

Equatorial Guinea, though small in size, contains ecologically significant forest, coastal, and island ecosystems within the Congo Basin region. Its mainland territory, Río Muni, forms part of the western Congo Basin forest block, while the islands of Bioko and Annobón host unique and endemic biodiversity of global importance.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contains more than half of the Congo Basin rainforest, making it an important country for forest conservation, biodiversity, and climate stability in Central Africa, and one of the most important globally.

The Central African Republic (CAR) occupies a strategically important portion of the northern Congo Basin ecological region, forming a transition zone between dense tropical forests in the south and savanna landscapes in the north. This positioning gives CAR high ecological value, with forests that support significant biodiversity, provide essential ecosystem services, and contribute to regional climate regulation and transboundary conservation.

Cameroon’s exceptional ecological diversity has earned it the title “Africa in miniature”, reflecting the wide range of environments found within its borders—from Atlantic coastal lowlands and dense tropical rainforests to savannas and mountainous regions. As a core country within the Congo Basin rainforest biome, Cameroon plays a central role in regional biodiversity conservation and landscape connectivity.

Angola is a vast and ecologically diverse country in south-western Africa, bordered by Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is characterized by a rapidly growing population and an economy largely driven by oil and mineral resources, creating significant challenges in balancing economic development with the conservation of its natural capital.