The Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a financial mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (https://unfccc.int/fr), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Its aim is to provide additional funding in the form of grants and loans to cover the extra costs involved in transforming a project with national benefits into one with global environmental benefits.

Its grants, mixed financing and strategic support help developing countries meet their most pressing environmental priorities and comply with international environmental conventions.

Created in October 1991, the GEF now brings together 185 member states in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Today, it is the world’s largest provider of funding for projects aimed at protecting the environment, such as those related to biodiversity, combating the effects of climate change, soil degradation and waste and chemicals.

Since the West African Development Bank joined the GEF in 2015 as an accredited agency, it has enjoyed direct access to the organization’s resources. Over the years, the Bank has developed its portfolio of projects in the fields of climate change, land and international water conservation, and issues relating to waste and sustainable cities in the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).

Demand for projects aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development has increased over the last decade, in parallel with the expansion of certain economic activities in the agricultural, energy and transport sectors, both in rural and urban areas.

For UEMOA countries with limited resources to finance such projects, BOAD and GEF represent a considerable source of financing and technical expertise.

As a major player in the financing of public and private projects in West Africa, the Bank has a significant comparative advantage for the GEF, particularly through the integration of sustainability and resilience into its investments.

Report on the proper use of funds received

Report on the findings resulting from the verification of the proper use of funds received under the financing contract between The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and BOAD

BOAD's resource mobilization strategy for the Global Environment Facility

Since 2023, the Bank has been actively involved in a number of in-country workshops, notably with national GEF focal points, to identify co-financing opportunities for UEMOA countries.

It should also be noted that as part of the mobilization of Global Environment Facility resources, BOAD’s strategy is to support low-carbon, climate-resilient projects with high environmental and social benefits. To this end, it promotes and supports the scaling-up of projects that have demonstrated satisfactory results, and supports the dissemination of lessons learned in the eight (08) WAEMU countries.

Active portfolio of projects initiated by BOAD with the GEF

Hybridization of diesel engines on multifunctional platforms with solar systems in Togo.

The aim of the project is to increase access to electricity and modern energy services through the development and use of solar energy technologies in 50 villages in Togo.

Specifically, the project aims to: (i) strengthen the political, institutional and financial framework for the promotion and development of renewable energies; (ii) strengthen the technical capabilities of national players in the planning and implementation of renewable energy projects; (iii) reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and (iv) induce sustainable economic and local development.

Regional project to support sustainable waste management and reduce POPs and mercury emissions in the WAEMU.

The aim of the project is to develop appropriate waste treatment and recovery infrastructures, and to strengthen the strategic and operational capacities of waste management stakeholders at both regional and national levels, in order to protect the environment, improve the living conditions of populations and reduce the risk of illnesses linked to insalubrity.

Potential areas of interest and available resources

  • Great Green Wall program
  • Flood management and city resilience project
  • Sustainable urban transport project (e-mobility)

  • Blue Economy (protection and management of coastlines, marine areas, river ecosystems)
  • Program to eliminate PCBs from transformers
  • Climate-smart agriculture program
  • Program to develop new renewable energies and energy efficiency for cities and rural areas.

Contacts : Focal Points and Experts

Mr Honoré D. TOE

Vice President, Environment and Climate Finance

FEM -BOAD Focal Point

dtoe@boad.org

Mrs Olive DAHOUINDJI

Environment and Climate Finance Specialist

FEM-BOAD Deputy Focal Point

odahouindji@boad.org

Mr KOGBE Yaovi Joseph

Climate Finance Specialist

lkogbe@boad.org