Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)
CAFI is a multilateral trust fund and political platform, established in 2015 and hosted by UNDP in Geneva, that channels performance-based grants from 10 sovereign donors to 6 Central African governments through Letters of Intent, executed by 23 accredited implementing organizations to curb forest loss and support sustainable development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersGeneva, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) does
The Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is a multilateral trust fund and political platform established in 2015 at the margins of the UN General Assembly, headquartered in Geneva within UNDP offices and operated by a 6-person secretariat. It coordinates voluntary contributions from 10 sovereign donors (Belgium, EU, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Korea, UK, US) and channels them through Letters of Intent with 6 Central African partner countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo), formalizing time-bound policy reform milestones against which performance-based disbursements are released. As of the latest disclosures, CAFI has mobilized $972 million from donors and transferred over $631 million to 74 projects (40 currently active) executed by 23 accredited implementing organizations spanning UN agencies (UNDP, UNOPS, FAO, UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNCDF), multilateral development banks (World Bank, AFD), and NGOs (TNC, WWF, WCS, IUCN, GIZ, IFAD, One Acre Fund).
CAFI's core mechanisms are the National Investment Frameworks (country-specific reform roadmaps), Payments for Environmental Services (PES) performance-based incentives, a US$100 million Private Sector Facility for blended finance in energy, agriculture, forestry, and ecotourism, a ~US$10 million Regional Technical Assistance Facility, and a South-South Cooperation Facility. Its technology layer consists of forest MRV systems (satellite-based deforestation detection, national forest inventories, carbon accounting frameworks such as Gabon's SNORNF), the Ground Impact platform for ex-ante PES planning, and a PES management tool handling beneficiary registration, contract management, and mobile payment execution. Operating outcomes cited by CAFI include 164 million tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced, 13 million people with improved livelihoods, 600,000 hectares of community forest concessions granted in DRC, 163,000+ households transitioned to clean cooking in DRC, and 72,000 hectares of sustainable agriculture established.
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)
- Legal name
- Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)
- Website
- https://cafi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CAFI is a multilateral trust fund and political platform, established in 2015 and hosted by UNDP in Geneva, that channels performance-based grants from 10 sovereign donors to 6 Central African governments through Letters of Intent, executed by 23 accredited implementing organizations to curb forest loss and support sustainable development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Forest Conservation Funding and Climate Finance
- NAICS
- Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), International Affairs (92812)
- SIC
- Forestry (800), International Affairs (9721), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds (BPADAOAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Donor Coordination & Aid Effectiveness (BPADAOAA), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), Technical Assistance, Policy Lending & Capacity Building Programs (BPADACAN)
Keywords
Where Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Geneva
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donor Contributions and Grants: CAFI operates as a multilateral Trust Fund receiving voluntary contributions from donor countries (Belgium, EU, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Korea, UK, US). The Fund is managed by the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office and provides grants to implementing organizations and partner country governments.
- Performance-Based Funding: CAFI provides performance-based payments to partner countries and implementing organizations based on verified environmental outcomes (emissions reductions, forest conservation). This includes result-based financing mechanisms and Payments for Environmental Services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAFI functions as a multilateral Trust Fund and political platform that mobilizes donor contributions and channels them as performance-based grants and investments to six Central African partner countries and accredited implementing organizations. Its core offerings include National Investment Frameworks formalized through Letters of Intent, Payments for Environmental Services (PES) with supporting digital platforms, a US$100 million Private Sector Facility, capacity-building programs, and digital MRV systems for forest monitoring.
Product overview
CAFI operates as both a Trust Fund and political platform, not a unified software product. Its portfolio consists of funding programs and initiatives delivered through implementing organizations. Core mechanisms include the National Investment Frameworks (NIFs) - bilateral agreements between CAFI and partner countries outlining policy reforms and financial commitments. Key programs include the Payments for Environmental Services (PES) framework providing performance-based incentives for sustainable practices; the US$100 million Private Sector Facility supporting forest-positive investments through blended finance; the Regional Technical Assistance Facility (~USD 10 million) for capacity building; and South-South Cooperation enabling knowledge exchange with partners like Costa Rica. Country-specific projects span forest monitoring systems (SNORNF in Gabon), land use planning (PNAT), sustainable energy access, agricultural development, land tenure reform, and forest ecosystem research. Projects are implemented by 16+ international organizations including UN agencies, development banks, NGOs, and since 2025, national NGOs. CAFI also developed digital platforms including Ground Impact for ex-ante planning and a PES management tool for beneficiary registration and mobile payments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Private Sector Facility: A US$100 million facility to support early project stages and pilots in energy, agriculture, forestry, and ecotourism sectors.
- Regional Technical Assistance Facility
- South-South Cooperation Facility
- CAFI INVEST
Products and services
- Payments for Environmental Services (PES) Performance-based funding mechanism that provides financial incentives to local communities and beneficiaries in partner Central African countries for adopting sustainable practices such as agroforestry, reforestation, and forest conservation.
- National Investment Frameworks (NIF) Country-specific strategic frameworks that outline policy reforms, time-bound milestones, and financial commitments between CAFI and partner countries to address deforestation drivers, formalized via Letters of Intent.
- Private Sector Facility US$100 million facility supporting early project stages and pilots in energy, agriculture, forestry, and ecotourism sectors through project development grants, investment grants using blended finance, and performance-based grants.
- Regional Technical Assistance Facility ~USD 10 million facility over 3 years providing technical and logistical support to CAFI partner countries for capacity building and fulfilling commitments under climate and biodiversity accords.
- South-South Cooperation Facility Facility enabling knowledge sharing and collaboration between CAFI partner countries and South-South partners (such as Costa Rica) for adapting successful Payments for Environmental Services approaches to Central African contexts.
- National Land Use Plan (PNAT) - Gabon National Land Use Plan initiative in Gabon to limit future emissions and enable economic development by optimally allocating forest areas to different uses while excluding primary forests and High Conservation Value areas.
- National Natural Resources and Forestry Observation System (SNORNF) - Gabon Forest monitoring system in Gabon enabling monitoring of changes in national forest cover, detection of deforestation events, and improvement of carbon stocks and flows data for LULUCF sector reporting.
- Sustainable Energy Programme (DRC) DRC-focused program supporting establishment of sustainable supply chains, alternative energy sources (improved cookstoves, gas, briquettes), and energy policy reform to reduce charcoal reliance and stabilize forest cover.
- Family Agriculture Support (PAAD) - DRC Project under DRC's 145 Territories Local Development Programme aiming to rapidly and sustainably increase agricultural production through inclusive value chains for cassava, maize, peanuts, and legumes.
- DRC Land Tenure Reform Support (PARF I & II) Support programme for DRC's land reform initiative to secure customary rights, combat speculation, and deploy a Land Information System, with PARF I supporting policy adoption and PARF II supporting implementation in strategic provinces.
- Forest Ecosystem Research and Monitoring - Gabon Project strengthening the National Observation System for Natural and Forest Resources (SNORNF) in Gabon to improve knowledge of forest ecosystem dynamics, ecological monitoring, and climate change capacity building through long-term research sites.
- Forest Performance Bond Program UNCDF-led program mobilizing private and public investment through innovative financial instruments to support forest-positive businesses, promote sustainable agriculture and energy solutions, and strengthen climate resilience.
- Forest Certification and Community Management - Gabon Gabon project supporting implementation of the Forest Concessions Transformation Strategy by assisting logging operators in meeting certification requirements, improving transparency and governance, and promoting inclusive community forestry models.
- SME Financing Preparatory Grant $500,000 preparatory grant to the Common Fund for Commodities for developing a project facilitating access to affordable financing for SMEs in sustainable agriculture and forestry through blended finance and technical assistance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 164 million tonnes CO2 emissions reduced since 2015
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Government of CamerooncorePartner country with Letter of Intent signed October 2024 defining vision for deforestation-free agriculture by 2035, committing 1.5 billion USD with 61M USD initial CAFI support for 350,000 cocoa and coffee producers.
- Government of the Democratic Republic of CongocoreFirst country to sign Letter of Intent with CAFI in 2016. Second largest tropical forest in the world (130M hectares). Letter of Intent 2021-2031 anchors reforms in agriculture, energy, tenure, and transparency.
- Government of GaboncoreFirst result-based payment agreement in Africa at scale (150M USD for verified CO2 emission reductions). Forests absorb 140M tons CO2 annually. National Land Use Plan development supported.
- Government of the Republic of CongocoreLetter of Intent (2019) placing forest protection under Prime Minister's office. 65M USD Letter of Intent supporting governance, forest monitoring, fuelwood plantations, clean cookstoves.
- Government of the Central African RepubliccorePartner country with dense humid forests harboring exceptional biodiversity including 208 mammal species and 698 bird species.
- Government of Equatorial GuineacorePartner country nearly entirely covered by forests. National REDD+ Investment Plan focused on competitiveness, sustainability, integrated land management, food security, and social/gender equity.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreHosts CAFI Secretariat in Geneva. Manages the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office for CAFI. Key implementing partner for projects including sustainable agriculture in DRC.
- UNOPScoreImplementing organization for CAFI projects including PIREDD Plateaux (DRC) and Regional Technical Assistance Facility (~10M USD over 3 years).
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreImplementing organization conducting regional studies on deforestation and forest degradation, providing technical expertise for forest monitoring.
- UNDPcoreImplementing partner for sustainable agriculture projects including 145 Territories program (45M USD) and sustainable energy programs in DRC.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreImplementing organization for forest ecosystem research and monitoring in Gabon, strengthening National Observation System for Natural and Forest Resources.
- World BankcoreImplementing partner with extensive experience in DRC projects, building on prior World Bank and CAFI-funded initiatives.
- African Development Bank (AFD)coreImplementing organization for Gabon's National Land Use Plan project (18.4M USD), partnering with National Climate Council and government agencies.
- UN-HabitatcoreImplementing partner for DRC Land Tenure Reform (PARF I & II) supporting land policy adoption and Land Information System development.
- UNCDFcoreImplementing partner for Forest Performance Bond Program (1.9M USD) mobilizing private and public investment through innovative financial instruments.
- GIZcoreImplementing organization for Cameroon land use planning projects and coordination support, with multiple projects across partner countries.
- One Acre FundcoreImplementing organization for agricultural development projects in DRC, supporting smallholder farmers with inputs and markets.
- IFADcoreImplementing organization for agricultural projects supporting smallholder farmers and rural development in Central Africa.
- WWFcoreImplementing partner for PROBAK project in DRC and PIREDD Plateaux implementation support.
- IUCNcoreImplementing organization providing technical expertise for conservation and sustainable forest management.
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)coreImplementing organization for wildlife conservation projects including human-elephant conflict mitigation in Gabon.
- UNEPcoreImplementing partner for environmental projects including PROCONGO in Republic of Congo.
- IDHminorPreparatory grant recipient for ReVive Central Africa project on deforestation-free cocoa and coffee supply chains.
- Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)minorPreparatory grant recipient (500K USD) developing project for affordable financing to SMEs in sustainable agriculture and forestry.
- Costa RicaminorSouth-South partnership with Costa Rica (global PES pioneer) for knowledge sharing on Payments for Environmental Services. Costa Rica joined as signatory to CAFI Interministerial Declaration in June 2025.
- ARISEminorPrivate sector partner receiving CAFI-funded feasibility study for sustainable operations in Central Africa.
- INTERHOLCOminorPrivate sector partner receiving CAFI-funded feasibility study for sustainable operations.
- Criterion Africa PartnersminorPrivate sector partner receiving CAFI-funded feasibility study for sustainable operations.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- REDD+ Partnership (formerly UNFCCC REDD+ Partnership): International platform coordinating donor support and country-led REDD+ actions in tropical forest nations. Comparable political-platform function to CAFI's Executive Board and Letters of Intent model.
- Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF): World Bank-administered fund providing results-based payments for verified emission reductions from REDD+ programs. Closest functional analog to CAFI's Gabon RBP model across multiple tropical countries.
- Adaptation Fund: Multilateral fund financing climate adaptation and forest-related projects in developing countries under Kyoto Protocol. Comparable structure, country-driven accreditation, and project-based disbursement model.
- UN-REDD Programme: UN-led multilateral trust fund supporting REDD+ readiness and forest monitoring in developing countries. Directly comparable as a forest-finance coordination platform serving overlapping government counterparties.
Broad incumbents
- Climate Investment Funds (CIF): Multilateral climate fund covering forestry, clean energy, and resilience in developing countries. Comparable donor coordination, trust-fund governance, and results-based financing mechanisms.
- Green Climate Fund (GCF): Largest dedicated multilateral climate fund with similar donor/governance structure and a forest-relevant mitigation portfolio. Much larger scale and broader mandate, but comparable in operating model.
- Global Environment Facility (GEF): Multilateral trust fund financing biodiversity, climate, land degradation, and forest projects globally. Comparable fund-management structure via UNDP/World Bank and broader thematic scope.
Regional players
- Nordic Development Fund (NDF): Multilateral development finance institution providing blended finance for climate and forest projects in lower-income countries. Comparable in size, Nordic donor footprint, and climate-finance specialization.
- Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF): African Development Bank-hosted fund specifically targeting Congo Basin forest protection. Strongest geographic overlap with CAFI, including shared partner countries and complementary financing role.
Emerging players
- BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes: World Bank program targeting reduced emissions from land use, including forestry and agriculture in select jurisdictions. Comparable results-based and jurisdictional approach to CAFI's NIFs.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) social profiles
Digital presenceCentral African Forest Initiative (CAFI) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)
What does Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) do?
CAFI functions as a multilateral Trust Fund and political platform that mobilizes donor contributions and channels them as performance-based grants and investments to six Central African partner countries and accredited implementing organizations. Its core offerings include National Investment Frameworks formalized through Letters of Intent, Payments for Environmental Services (PES) with supporting digital platforms, a US$100 million Private Sector Facility, capacity-building programs, and digital MRV systems for forest monitoring.
Is Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) a public or private company?
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) founded?
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) based?
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donor Contributions and Grants are the primary driver. The others are performance-Based Funding.
Who are Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are REDD+ Partnership (formerly UNFCCC REDD+ Partnership), Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), Adaptation Fund and UN-REDD Programme. Broad incumbents are Climate Investment Funds (CIF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF). Regional players are Nordic Development Fund (NDF) and Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF). BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes is listed as an emerging player.
Does Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI).
What industry is Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) in?
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI)'s product category is Forest Conservation Funding and Climate Finance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAE, Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds, with a secondary code of BPADACAH, Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities. Its NAICS code is 525 and its SIC code is 800.